Africas Elephants

News of Africas Elephants

Sad news from Addo

Addo's biggest tusker dies in fight with another elephant
06/05/2010 13:19:21 Tourists watch as elephants fight to the death


May 2010: Visitors watched helpless as a fight between two elephant bulls at a South African National Park ended in the death of athe park's biggest tusker.

Credit SANParks
KILLED: Skukuza, an Addo National Park
elephant who lost the fight against younger bull,
called Paul.



Skukuza was 47 years old and had been relocated from Kruger National Park (KNP) to Addo Elephant National Park eight year previously to strengthen the gene pool. He was killed by another one-time Kruger bull, Paul, who came to Addo five years ago. Younger and more aggressive than the normally placid Skukuza, he is at the age when elephants will challenge for dominance.

Shortly after arrival, Skukuza lost his right tusk, which fell off. This was not as a result of fighting but rather due to being damaged during the journey down from KNP. He had a quiet temperament and never showed aggression towards other elephants or tourists. He also fathered numerous offspring in Addo. During the last few years he was known to prefer living in the southern section of Addo Main Camp, in Wayne's Valley.

Challenge for dominance

Unfortunately, as he is in his 30s, Paul is at an age where bulls often challenge older ones, especially when in musth during mating season. During musth, elephant bulls can become highly aggressive towards each other. A number of park visitors saw elephant bull Paul chasing Skukuza around for an entire afternoon before his death. When Skukuza fell down, Paul delivered the final blow by thrusting his tusk into Skukuza's brain.

Although this is an upsetting event for people to watch and to hear about, it is natural behaviour in animals.

WS

That's sad news WS - even if it is natures way.

It can't have been easy for people to have to watch and not interfere.

Lai

That is such sad news WS, the loss of any elephant life is not good to hear about. We know that Bulls will fight in this way and as Lai says it is life, but it is always very upsetting to read about and it must have been awful for the people watching especially as Skukuza was apparantly a placid Bull who still had many years left.

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