A Sad Farewell To A Member Of The Elephant Aristocracy Of The Game Reserve

The old matriarch, Ukuthula – true to her philosophy that elephants had a moral right to sufficient food – regularly led her herd to graze across the Sabie River. The northern bank of the river was not as bare as the rest of the veld. The Sabiepark picnic spot and the river walk had become their “second home”. The Lisbon Estate’s citrus orchards were often invaded.

In these very orchards Ukuthula was severely wounded one September afternoon. A farmer with his elephant rifle was determined to protect his property. When the bullet struck, she fell. Laboriously she staggered back on her feet. With blood blinding her she led her pack back across the river. Who Would Dare Challenge An Elephant? Who Would remain Defiant When An Elephant Charged?

That journey, accompanied by the roar of a helicopter, was indelibly etched on Mayafudi’s mind. The trumpetting of Ukuthula became fainter as she went along. Her pack was confused and followed her blindly.

On the eastern bank she veered to the right, then southerly towards the rest camp Berg-en-Dal. Near the N’waswitshaka waterhole on the S65 where a group of emaciated giraffe were clustered, she sank down – worn out.

Her pack silently formed a protecting circle around her, like an impenetrable wall. Twice, very slowly, they moved around and around. Then they stopped, uncertain.

The aged Moholoholo stepped forward and gently stroked the giant form of his wife with his trunk. It was like a ritual of “laying on hands”. The touch was one of great tenderness. There was something soft in the rubbing of his rough skin against hers.

Mayafudi the elephant looses her mother

Mayafudi fought his emotions. Inside him raged a mixture of anger and sadness. The finality of the moment became apparent. His brain, however, refused to accept the reality of the loss of his beloved mother.

The next moment a foreign power seemed to take possession of him. He remembered how Ukuthula, many years ago, rescued a rhinoceros youngster from drowning in mud. He carefully pushed his tusks underneath the head of his mother. He exerted all his power and lifted with all his might, but he could not raise her.

Right alongside an opening where Ukuthula’s legs gave way, was a young marula tree. Mayafudi tore a trunk full of branches and leaves from the tree and tried to stuff the green matter into the cow’s mouth. It, however, brought no reaction.

He saw how a young calf, who was very attached to his grandmother, tried to worm himself into the hollow between her forelegs as if looking for milk, but to no avail. The old elephant lay bloody and deathly still.

As if on command, the rest of the herd suddenly moved backward. Mayafudi, his sire, Moholoholo and an elder sister, Matcheleni (The Smart one), were the only ones left behind. This was their intimate farewell.

The other elephants turned away from the sad event as if they found it too painful to watch. Their trunks hung listlessly – a sign of their deep loss and grief.

The three next-of-kin turned and gave one last look in Ukuthula’s direction, then a last little hug with their trunks. One after another they took a step backward and each gave her a light tap with a swinging hind leg.

Last respects to a member of the elephant aristocracy of the Game Reserve

Now the rest of the troop were allowed to pay a last tribute. They plucked bundles of leaves and grass which they showered around the carcass like wreaths.

Messengers were dispatched to spread the news of Ukuthula to the surrounding herds of the area. Loners were also invited to come and pay their last respects to a member of the elephant aristocracy of the Game Reserve. Afterwards everyone dispersed in various directions. A Great Thirst In The Kruger National Park Leaves White Bones Of Carcasses Of Animals

Meanwhile vultures circled the carcass. Hyenas cautiously crept nearer. Soon the vultures and the merciless summer sun worked together to remove all but bare bones. A week or two later the elephants returned to carry the remaining bones to a secret elephant cemetery deep inside the dense bush.

The heard went through a long period of grief – without a leader. Mayafudi was crushed, defeated. Eventually Matcheleni took over the mantle of her late mother.

Shortly after the “funeral” flashes of lightning started illuminating the western sky…