Kruger's Oldest Elephant Dies

One the Kruger National Park's (KNP) oldest elephants, Duke, who was more than 55-years-old, has died, the park said on Friday.

The elephant was discovered lying on its side along Makambeni spruit, five kilometres from Crocodile Bridge Camp on Wednesday, KNP spokesman William Mabasa said in a statement.

The five-day-old carcass was found after the camp's section ranger, Neels van Wyk, became worried when there was no movement from Duke's electronic collar.

It was believed the animal died on October 1.

"Although Duke was old, we are very saddened by this magnificent bull's passing as he was very popular and had avid followers who always asked about him," said Mabasa.

"In the past few years, there had been enquiries as to whether Duke was still with us; so when news of his passing came through we assumed it was rumours doing the rounds again."

The elephant had lost both tusks and in 2010 was fitted with a tracking collar in an effort to check up on him and his whereabouts.

Duke was estimated to have lived in the KNP bush for over 55 years.

Following normal practice, the head, tusk remains, and possibly skeleton would be recovered and then stored for possible display purposes.

Emerging tuskers are named after previous rangers and field rangers who have made notable contributions to conservation and the KNP.

The park said Duke was named after Thomas Duke, who was based at Lower Sabie between 1903 and 1923.

Sorry to hear, if anyone has photos, I'd love to see them, of the old boy!

does anyone have any photos of this old guy.

Thanks Kevin for letting us know.

Here is Duke before loosing both tusks.

Jerome thanks for the video clip great elephant and a hugh loss for the park.

Hope he spread those genes throughout the park.
Very glad to hear it was not poachers this time.

Thanks for the video...he had some giant tusks!

Voerspoort, Hambani kahle and farewell to a giant of giants

Rich,I think you meant 'voorspoed'..a magnificent animal,I met him many moons ago when we were both in our twenties.I hope his tusks are somewhere safe.

..wengine katika kampuni kubwa ya amani, upole..

LOL, I thought I was being clever, just checked the web site and it's written wrong. Thanks Docman

Hamba kahle indlovu endala
Inhlonipho!

Originally Posted by fhm3006

Hamba kahle indlovu endala
Inhlonipho!

Goodbye old elephant.

Got me with the next word. No idea.

Originally Posted by richteb

Goodbye old elephant.

Got me with the next word. No idea.

Inhlonipho = Respect !