Famous Kruger tusker Alexander dies Feb. 7, 2009

One of the elephants with the largest tusks
in the Kruger National Park,
Alexander, passed away on Saturday Feb. 7, 2009
seemingly of a heart attack.

The animal was discovered lying on its side
near the T-junction twokilometres from Mopani
Rest Camp by a research student, Ms Mariaan
Venter, who immediately contacted the section
ranger for that area, Mr Johann Oelofse.

"Upon my arrival, I found this elephant lying
beside a game path a mereeight metres from the
tarred surface and from the size of the tusks, I
immediately realised that it must be Alexander,"
said Mr Oelofse, Mooiplaas Section Ranger.

Of particular interest to conservationists and
researchers alike is the short time lapse in which
the carcass was discovered after the elephant died.

"After talking to a passing visitor who
showed me photographs she had apparently taken 'only a
short while ago' as they passed the elephant en route
to Mopani Camp, we confirmed the time that the
photograph was taken on her camera and discovered
that the elephant had still been alive a mere 27
minutes before! This was an amazing coincidence and
I realised that this must be the closest the KNP has
ever pin-pointed the time of death of one of
the tuskers to within the hour," he commented.

Heart and lung tissue have been removed from the
carcass which will be used to establish the exact
cause of death. As is normal practice, the ivory will
be removed from the carcass, weighed and then stored
for possible display purposes.

Visitors to the Park are also invited to
participate in the Emerging Tuskers
Competition by sending in their photographs
of elephants with large tusks.  Photographs
and video material sent in by visitors are
used to understand the habits and movements
of tuskers in an attempt to learn more about them.

Winners, who are announced yearly, get to win
a multitude of prizes which include accommodation
in the Park, books and other material and the first
prize, an exclusive opportunity to accompany an
elephant researcher for a day's research in the
Kruger National Park.

For more information and entry forms, visit the
SANParks Website.

South Africa National Parks - SANParks - Official Website

Courtesy of Jim Stockley