Elephant

elephant

African elephants are the species of elephants in the genus Loxodonta, one of the two existing genera in Elephantidae. The other is the Asian elephant.

Their tusks are teeth; the second set of incisors become the tusks. They are used for digging for roots and stripping the bark off trees for food, for fighting each other during mating season, and for defending themselves against predators. The tusks weigh from 50-100 pounds and can be from 5 to 8 feet (2.4 m) long. Unlike Asian elephants, both bulls and cows have tusks.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

African elephants are bigger than Asian elephants. Males stand 3.64 meters (12 ft) tall at the shoulder and weigh 5455 kg (12,000 lbs), while females stand 3 meters (10 ft) and weigh 3636 kg to 4545 kg (8,000 to 11,000 lbs). However, males can get as big as 15,000 lbs (6800 kg).

STATUS

Poaching significantly reduced the population of Loxodonta in certain regions during the 20th century. An example of this poaching pressure is in the eastern region of Chad—elephant herds there were substantial as recently as 1970, with an estimated population of 400,000; however, by 2006 the number had dwindled to about 10,000. The African elephant nominally has governmental protection, but poaching is still a serious issue.

Human encroachment into or adjacent to natural areas where bush elephants occur has led to recent research into methods of safely driving groups of elephants away from humans, including the discovery that playback of the recorded sounds of angry honey bees are remarkably effective at prompting elephants to flee an area. Some elephant communities have grown so large, in Africa, that some communities have resorted to culling large amounts to help sustain the ecosystem.

WEAPONS USED

One does not casually walk up to a 12,000 pound animal without serious consideration of the firearm in their hands. Many governments regulate the caliber of firearm and the .375 H & H Magnum loaded with solid bullets is considered to be the minimum. Based on the size alone, deep penetrating, well constructed bullets are a must in order to penetrate the thick hide and any bone that might be encountered.

For bow hunters, once again special regulations apply. Please contact us for the latest and most current information.