Death of Addo's biggest tusker - Skukuza

[Niel]

https://www.wildcard.co.za/blog.htm?act ... st&id=1361

On Thursday 22 April 2010 Skukuza, the biggest elephant in Addo Elephant National Park was killed. Five years before his death, which resulted from a fight with another elephant bull, Skukuza had lived in Kruger National Park.

Skukuza was relocated to Addo because of his potential to carry forth good genes. According to a media report issued by South African National Parks, "the eight (elephants) were chosen for their good genetics. Genetic diversity is essential in a healthy population."

In the photo above, Skukuza is recognisable by his left tusk; he lost the other due to damage during his trip from Kruger to Addo.

Skukuza had also fathered many offspring in Addo and spent much time in the southern section of Addo Main Camp where he seemed to prefer roaming.

The old bull died in a fight with another Kruger elephant that had been relocated to the park shortly after him. The much younger elephant had chased him for most of the afternoon until Skukuza later fell and was stabbed by the bull's tusk in a fatal blow to his head.

The younger elephant was in musth - a state where elephant bulls can become highly aggressive towards one another.