BOTSOTSO. Origin of the name: ‘Botsotso’ is Tsonga and refers to particular style of jeans that were worn in the olden days and is a direct reference to the
large very prominent folds of skin on the rear of this bull making it one of his identification characteristics’. Special Features: found in the northern KNP, once
again we have a bull with similar tusk shape to Matlakusa and Xindzulundzulu although this bull’s straight and symmetrical ivory is not as widely splayed and shows a curve inwards of both tusks towards the bottom when seen from a frontal view. His most notable ear markings are found on his left ear. At the
bottom on the lobe there is a deep u-shaped tear in the tip of the lobe. Further up towards the middle of the lobe there is a small v-shaped notch in the outer lobe,
above this towards the top of the lobe there is a deeper w-shaped notch; both of these are only visible in high resolution images. In earlier images there are signs
that the right tusk experienced a small break, this has subsequently smoothed over and the re-growth has allowed the tusks to remain fairly symmetrical. The
right lobe lacks any significant markings. The trunk does offer a few characteristics’ namely at the lip line on the right tusk there is a scarring growth that looks like a tennis/golf ball between the tusk and trunk.
Home » Kruger National Park Identifies 12 New Emerging Tuskers – Meet the Elephants
Kruger National Park Identifies 12 New Emerging Tuskers – Meet the Elephants
The Kruger National Park (KNP)’s Emerging Tuskers Committee said it is proud to announce the names of twelve new emerging tuskers; thanks to the submission of elephant footage from guests to the Tuskers Project. See photos and descriptions below… which will make it quite exciting for safari visitors to the legendary South African reserve to find […]
BOTSOTSO. Origin of the name: ‘Botsotso’ is Tsonga and refers to particular style of jeans that were worn in the olden days and is a direct reference to the
large very prominent folds of skin on the rear of this bull making it one of his identification characteristics’. Special Features: found in the northern KNP, once
again we have a bull with similar tusk shape to Matlakusa and Xindzulundzulu although this bull’s straight and symmetrical ivory is not as widely splayed and shows a curve inwards of both tusks towards the bottom when seen from a frontal view. His most notable ear markings are found on his left ear. At the
bottom on the lobe there is a deep u-shaped tear in the tip of the lobe. Further up towards the middle of the lobe there is a small v-shaped notch in the outer lobe,
above this towards the top of the lobe there is a deeper w-shaped notch; both of these are only visible in high resolution images. In earlier images there are signs
that the right tusk experienced a small break, this has subsequently smoothed over and the re-growth has allowed the tusks to remain fairly symmetrical. The
right lobe lacks any significant markings. The trunk does offer a few characteristics’ namely at the lip line on the right tusk there is a scarring growth that looks like a tennis/golf ball between the tusk and trunk.
The Kruger National Park (KNP)’s Emerging Tuskers Committee said it is proud to announce the names of twelve new emerging tuskers; thanks to the submission of elephant footage from guests to the Tuskers Project. See photos and descriptions below… which will make it quite exciting for safari visitors to the legendary South African reserve to find and identify the Tuskers in the future.
In a media release, the Kruger said the Committee monitored several elephants from as far back as 2009; until recently when they closely looked at 28 of them. Twelve of those, which showed sufficient development, were selected and named as Big Tuskers.
“The main objective with the naming of the magnificent bulls is to monitor the movements of these animals with Kruger being amongst one of the last places in which they can be seen in Southern Africa,” said the KNP’s Interpretive Officer and Committee Coordinator, Kirsty Redman.
“Elephant nominations were evaluated on its clarity, visibility of the animal and ivory, significant markings (e.g. ear notches), aesthetics, value to research and the information received,” concluded Redman.
“The names selected look at the characteristics or general areas in which the bulls are found and are unique to them.”
Meet the 12 New Kruger National Park Tuskers:
Botsotso
Hahlwa
Jubilala
Matlakusa
Ndlovane
Ngwenya
N’wamisejani
N’waMndlovu
N’wandlamharhi
N’watindlopfu
Vusopfa
Xindzulundzulu
TAKE PART & ADD YOUR SIGHTINGS AND IMAGES:
If you would like to add your sightings to the database, submit images to tuskers@sanparks.org.
For queries on identification or confirmation that a sighting qualifies as a tusker, submit the footage to kirsty.redman@sanparks.org
MORE INFO: www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/elephants/default.php