The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-07-07
ELEPHANTS GIVE
AID TO WOUNDED
Females Assist Injured Sultan
and Rout Ms Assailant

|
Akeley. African explorer in a COM
munication 10 the National Geograph-
lie Society. at Washington, II. c.. tells
OF an elephant "first-aid brigade
made up OF the female elephants OF a
herd. which not only attempted to give
suocor TO their wounded sultan but
went ON patrol duty" i'm an effort TO
| punish his assailant.
While hunting elephants in Uganda,
Mr.. Akeley came upon herd in
clearing, rounded up in close forma-
ton. conscious of the presence of an
unseen enemy There were about 20
elephants, mostly cows, and just as
was on the point of backing off to a
safer distance, thinking there were no
big bulls in the lot, fine pair OF tusks
appeared on the near side, he says.
~ clump Of bushes offered cover for "A
near approach, and l went in quickly
To within 90 yards of him, and as his
front leg was thrust forward, Offering
good opportunity for heart shot |
fired both barrels of the double rifle in
quick succession.
Cows Assist Him To Stand.
"All was commotion as | seized my
second rifle and. seeing there was no
direct charge, rctreated some 80 yards
10 the top Of an ant hill, from which
| could see what was going on. then
witnessed scene such as | had heard
described and which | had been keen
clust cred about the bull, for he had
fallen 80 yards from where he was
shot, and with their tusks and trunks
were doing their best to get him upon
his feet; the remainder of COWS were
doing patrol duty, rushing about in an
increasing circle, searching for the
source Of the trouble. That meant
me. so | retired to a safe distance and
waited for the atmosphere to clear.
This bull stood IL feet and inches
high at the shoulders and the tusks
weighed 9j and 10 pounds respective
~, while the circumference of the front
foot at the sole was 671a inches, the
LARGEST recorded, | believe.
1T is generally understood that large
bull elephants are more frequently to
be found apart from the herds, but our
experience does not bear this out.
Three bulls that we have shot, having
tusks each weighing over 100 pounds
have been herd bulls. We have found
the large old bulls enjoying the society
and protection of large herds of COWS
n N snlanniI
bull well known in Urganda, who has
been seen by many hunters, is SO well
protected by large herd of most ag-
gressive cows, who charge at the
slightest intimation of danger, that he
still survives. These old bulls are very
rare. for when one has developed tusks
of 80 pounds he becomes the target for
every hunter, native or white, who
sets eyes upon him; thus it Is only the
more crafty or tfmtd individuals that,
seeking the protection of large herds or
clinging TO the m6re inaccessible reg
ions, such as dense forests, manage to
survive to ripe old age and develop a
full growth of ivory.
Herd Charges Assailants.
AT another time, | was watching a
herd from an ant hill. when from the
cows there was a low, ominous rumble
like distant thunder, which was plain
talk and meant trouble. \ hasty
glance around convinced us that there
was but one thing to do, to stand and
meet the charge from the elevation
where we were and from which we
could see. II we tried to escape to one
side or to the forest we could not see
them over the high grass before they
were upon us. They charged toward
u.s. came half way and stopped. They
had lost the wind, but immediately
caught il again, and roaring anC
screaming with redoubled energy cam,
into view over a slight rise. 1t was q
| disconcerting spectacle. Their great
ears at full spread, trunks thrashinl
wildly, roaring, screaming mass, A
tons of frantic female elephant ven.
| geance. ! remember that felt home.
| sick a rifle shot stopped the leader
but, encouraged by the others, she
| came on. only To be knocked down b,
| the second shot. The others crowded
| about her, shifted and-bolted. Thu
old COW slowly regained her feet an,
| staggered away while we in deep gra
| titude returned to camp"
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