The Addo Elephant National Park outside Port Elizabeth is the new home to a massive elephant bull, with a shoulder height of 3.18m, tusks measuring an impressive 1.39m from the lip out and a weight of approximately six tonnes.
35-year-old 'Tembe' was introduced into the Park last Saturday and is the first of three bulls brought in as a donation from the Tembe Elephant Park in KwaZulu-Natal.
Addo Park Manager, Nick de Goede, said Tembe has been introduced to genetically supplement the park's 600-strong elephant population.
“The Park’s population is seen as a key elephant population within conservation circles nationally and internationally as it is one of the most well-researched and understood African elephant populations in the world,” he said.
He said it was vital that they continue to supplement the population genetically as its seen as a key elephant population within conservation circles nationally and internationally.
De Goede said Tembe appears to be adapting well to his new environment and that they hope to welcome the other two bulls into Addo before the end of the year.
Tembe Elephant Park is owned by the Tembe tribe and managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
The chairperson of the Tembe Co-management Board, Vusi Sithole, was present during the capture and officially handed the bull over to de Goede.
(PIc: Supplied)
