FAQ on Elephant

Introduction

The African Elephant (loxodonta africana) is the largest land mammal and males can grow up to 4m tall. Two thirds of the Kruger National Park's Elephant are north of the Olifant's River, with the next biggest group around the Sabi River. Smaller populations occur in the Malelane, Olifants/Letaba, Shingwedzi and Pafuri areas.

Do Elephant sacred burial grounds really exist?

No, Elephant sacred burial grounds do not really exist. The belief arose from a variety of reasons. Tribal people collected ivory from dead Elephant or by killing them and stockpiling the bones and ivory along the trade routes.

White explorers might have formulated a theory of Elephant sacred burial grounds from this. Another reason for this belief could be the large number of skeletal remains that were formed in very dry conditions, after some Elephant drank from poisonous lakes in East Africa.

Does an Elephant ever forget?

This myth is true! Elephant have excellent memory in comparison to other animals, but this is also likely to their long life-span. They travel over great distances and may only return to a specific area every few years, so they need to remember where to find food and water. This is especially true if drought or flooding occurs.

It has also been proven that elephants remembered and reacted to the scent of urine of other elephants that they hadn’t had contact with for 30 years! This is likely in captured zoo animals.

Why do Elephant bellow (trumpet)?

The trumpet is an expression of stress or, most likely, excitement. This excitement could be in reunion of a friend, in the discovery of a water hole or in play.

What are senses of Elephant like?

The nasal organ of Elephant is well developed and is actively used by the Elephant on a daily basis; therefore, elephants have exceptional smell. The big ears should also indicate excellent hearing. On the other hand, their eye sight is not as developed and sharp as the rest of Elephant's senses. By using their trunk, covered in sensory hairs, they have a very accute sennse of touch.