Big Elephant Tusker Crushes Ground in Powerful Display

[NamStay]

 

[BryceM]

Nice bull.

It really is amazing how powerful they are. My wife and I watched a bull push down a good-sized tree in Namibia. No big deal at all. Just a gentle lean, and down it came.

When I was 20 yards from two young bulls tussling and spinning around it was like a couple of front-end loaders on the loose. They were snapping trees without even knowing it. We made tracks the other way very quickly. On our way out the PH gently commented, "They don't have to know were here to kill us." I'll never forget the sound of their tusks smacking in to each other.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

very cool
but honestly dont understand wth they need to be so close
another accident waiting to happen!!!
admire from a fair and safe distance, no one needs to be 5m from any wild animals

 

[Altitude sickness]

Thats the equivalent of provoking the biggest guy in the bar then wondering why he hits you.

Unless they are willing to kill that bull and can justify why they needed to piss him off. They shouldn’t.

 

[Green Chile]

I love ele but that is a good example of how bad things can happen. The guy on the front of the truck could have been grabbed easily...truck could have been turned over...bull was pretty calm but they were too close for tourists. I get that close when hunting but I'm ready to shoot. That's too close for casual viewing. If you piss him off and he comes...you will either have someone smashed or a whole lot of paperwork for shooting him. They were pushing their luck for sure.

 

[Aaron N]

Not going to lie, the tusks weren’t the most impressive thing on display

 

[Dinsdale]

That's a Royal Malawane vehicle, logo on the back of trackers seat.

Pretty common in private lodges operating western Kruger to get close to game. They often have repeat sightings with the same individuals and the guides and trackers know who to avoid and comfort zone.

They already had that bull displaying dominance with the trunk laying over a tusk. Hanging around close I feel is not the greatest choice in guiding just to get a client a show.

Probably has a rifle cased in the vehicle, that's required for some properties. I know it is for the Sabi Sands, but the chances to actually stop a charge would be miniscule at best. Guide is going to depend on driving skills more than anything.

 

[steve white]

I love ele but that is a good example of how bad things can happen. The guy on the front of the truck could have been grabbed easily...truck could have been turned over...bull was pretty calm but they were too close for tourists. I get that close when hunting but I'm ready to shoot. That's too close for casual viewing. If you piss him off and he comes...you will either have someone smashed or a whole lot of paperwork for shooting him. They were pushing their luck for sure.

Yes, and pushing their luck with their eyes wide open and seeing it all transpire.
There are enough times you don't see it coming. Game viewing with a guide in open topped Landcruiser at Lake Manyara, we were looking in one direction when the whole vehicle leaned over from the off side. We had not heard him coming but an elephant's stomach bulged through the open window, giving me a push. As a trunk snaked around through the open top, sniffing for snacks or whatever, the guide said quietly, "just not moving, now." Having satisfied his curiosity, a very old wrinkled bull just sauntered off down the road.

 

[flatwater bill]

Beautiful. The World will be a lesser place when these mighty beasts are gone.......when the Tards save and protect them to extinction. ......FWB

 

[deewayne2003]

Beautiful. The World will be a lesser place when these mighty beasts are gone.......when the Tards save and protect them to extinction. ......FWB

Yes sir, that’s why I decided to do a tuskless last year in Zim rather than waiting on the giant Savana tusker of some day dreams.

Best money I ever spent on my self and could only wonder what it was like back in pre colonial days.

 

[Aaron N]

What size would you experts say those tusks are? Am I right on thinking they look thin?