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ELEPHANT RIDES
See the world through the eyes of an elephant - at least from
the same height as the elephant. Morning or afternoon rides
in a private game reserve, interacting with these wonderful
animals. Or stay at a lodge where you can help with grooming
and watch their training, discovering their quirks and sense
of humour.
Elephant
Back Safaris
You don't even know you are holding your breath as the elephant,
on whose back you are perched, slowly browses through the bush,
brushing aside lesser trees and towering beside a group of lions
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feasting on last night's
kill. You can see the glint of still-wet blood in the early
morning light. Sounds of bone snapping and low growls for dominance
fill the air. You can't be closer without being part of it!
But breathe you must and slowly tension ebbs as you realise
how safe you are. Comfortably seated within a sturdy padded
metal framework, securely bound to your elephant and high above
the ground, there is no danger. Despite missing the protection
of a vehicle, you quickly realise that wild animals are unconcerned
at the close approach of these familiar leviathans and the presence
of humans mounted upon them seems quite unnoticed. The creatures
you ride, the mahouts who ride them with you and the men who
oversee it all, are among the most highly trained of their kind.
In the event of an emergency, a competent rifleman is ready.
On safari, a maximum of 10 guests travel two
to an adult elephant with one 'spare' and a hoard of youngsters
trailing along behind. At deceptive speed your private herd
passes through glorious open woodland, skirting meadows of golden
grass or, like a fleet at sea in elegant line ahead, strides
majestically across broad, open plains. In the wet areas the
herd will pick its way along well trodden trails beneath the
lily covered surface whilst the youngsters, as youngsters do,
succumb to the fun of unlimited shallow water.
A ride begins while the day is
cool but you will have been woken early. The coming dawn is
announced by the mournful distant hooting of the ground hornbill
and, seconds later, by the busy cackle, outside your tent, of
an army of francolins. This seems to usher in a chorus of robins,
shrikes, babblers, starlings, bulbuls and a dozen others. Once
the fish eagle throws back his strident call, there is no peace
and rising for the day for a light breakfast and a short walk
to your elephant is the only option.
About Elephants
Appearance
This is the world’s largest land mammal, and weighs up
to seven tonnes and reaches heights of 3.3 m at the shoulder.
Elephants can live to a potential age of 70 years. The massive
tusks of older bulls can weigh up to 50 or 60 kilograms, but
tusks weighing up to 90 kilograms have been recorded.
The Elephant’s trunk is very sensitive and can even detect
water under ground. There are as many as 50 000 muscles in an
elephant’s trunk. The sensitive finger-like appendages
at the tip of the trunk enables them to pick the smallest twig
or flower. Their tusks are actually their upper incisors, and
grow continuously until they die at around 60 years old. Although
their skin is up to 3cm (1 inch) thick, it is quite sensitive.
An elephants hearing and smell are excellent but eyesight is
moderate and best in dim light.
Diet
Elephants are voracious feeders which in a day consume up to
272 Kg of grass, tender shoots and bark from trees. An adult
Elephant can drink up to 200 litres of water in a single session.
A single elephant deposits upwards of 150kg (330 pounds) of
dung every day - about one dollop every 15 minutes!
Breeding
African Elephants are not seasonal breeders. Generally they
produce one calf every three to four years. The gestation period
is about 22 months. At birth calves weigh about 100 Kg and are
fully weaned between 18-24 months.
An orphaned calf will usually be adopted by one of the family's
lactating females or suckled by various females. Elephants are
very attentive mothers, and because most elephant behavior has
to be learned, they keep their offspring with them for many
years. Tusks erupt at 16 months but do not show externally until
30 months. Once weaned, usually at age 4 or 5, the calf still
remains in the maternal group.
Behaviour
Mature males form bachelor groups or become solitary bulls.
Elephants form strong family units of cows, calves and young
offspring. Such herds are always led by an old female. Apart
from drinking large quantities of water they also love wading
or swimming in it. Elephants clearly relish mud baths. |
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It was once thought that family groups were led by old bull elephants,
but these males are most often solitary. The female family groups
are often visited by mature males checking for females in oestrus.
Several interrelated family groups may inhabit an area and know
each other well.
Females mature at about 11 years and stay
in the group, while the males, which mature between 12 and 15, are
usually expelled from the maternal herd. Even though these young
males are sexually mature, they do not breed until they are in their
mid, or late 20s or even older and have moved up in the social hierarchy. |
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