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Description
There are lots and lots of elephants at Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa [link]. For those who do not know, and in very general terms, mature male elephants or bulls, are normally solitary creatures roaming and feeding most of the time on their own. Mature female elephants normally go around in groups with other females and with young elephants. This is an older bull elephant, one of the original stock brought into Madkwe 2 or 3 decades ago. He still has a tracking device attached to him, although this no longer works. (See the little box on his head, and a harness around his neck.)

Bull elephants can be dangerous and/or playful. If angry they charge, often with one or two mock charges first - to frighten you away. Female elephants do not engage in mock charging - if they are angry they will charge with intent - no playing. This old fellow was enjoying a drink and scrub up at this water hole. He was squirting himself with water and mud, and generally squelching around.

Now, the bull is standing on our bank, having moved ever so slowly there with trunk waving, drinks, and a general insouciance. He is now resting his trunk on the other tusk and flapping his ears. The lady to my left has become very nervous, saying, loudly that she does not like the elephant so close.

Description
There are lots and lots of elephants at Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa [link]. For those who do not know, and in very general terms, mature male elephants or bulls, are normally solitary creatures roaming and feeding most of the time on their own. Mature female elephants normally go around in groups with other females and with young elephants. This is an older bull elephant, one of the original stock brought into Madkwe 2 or 3 decades ago. He still has a tracking device attached to him, although this no longer works. (See the little box on his head, and a harness around his neck.)

Bull elephants can be dangerous and/or playful. If angry they charge, often with one or two mock charges first - to frighten you away. Female elephants do not engage in mock charging - if they are angry they will charge with intent - no playing. This old fellow was enjoying a drink and scrub up at this water hole. He was squirting himself with water and mud, and generally squelching around.

Now, the bull is standing on our bank, having moved ever so slowly there with trunk waving, drinks, and a general insouciance. He is now resting his trunk on the other tusk and flapping his ears. The lady to my left has become very nervous, saying, loudly that she does not like the elephant so close.