Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-12-18
PROTECT THEIR SULTAN
How Cow Elephants Defend the Old
Bull

Bull.
Carl E. Akeley, African explorer, in
"a communication to the National Geo.
igraphic society at Washington, tells Of
an elephant "first-aid brigade" made
up Of the female elephants Of herd,
which not only attempted to give sue
cor to their wounded sultan" but
went on patrol duty" in an effort to
punish his assailant.
While hunting elephants in Uganda,
Mr.. Akeley came upon a herd in a
clearing, rounded up in close forma-
ton, conscious Of the presence Of an
unseen enemy. There were about
twenty-five elephants. mostly cows;
as I was on the point Of backing
off to a safer distance, thinking there
were no big bulls in the lot, a fine
pair Of tusks appeared on the near
side," he says. "a clump Of bushes
offered cover for near approach, and
I went quickly to within twenty yards
Of him, and as his front leg was thrust
forward offering a good opportunity
for heart shot, fired both barrels Of
the double rife in quick succession.
"All was commotion as seized my
second rifle and, seeing there was no
direct charge, retreated some fifty
yards to the top Of an ant hill, from
which I could see what was going on.
I then witnessed a scene such as I
had heard described and which had
been keen to verify. A number Of the
cows were clustered 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 rest Of the
cows were doing patrol duty, rushing
about in an increasing circle, search
ing for the source Of the trouble. That
meant me, so I retired to safe dis
tance and waited for the atmosphere
to clear. The bull stood II feet 4
inches high at the shoulders. and the
tusks weighs 95 to 110 pounds re-
spectively, while the circumference Of
the front foot at the sole was 67a
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 soci-
ETY. and protection Of large herds Of
cows and young animals. One splen-
did old bull, we'll known in Uganda
who has been seen by many hunters,
is so we'll protected by large herd Of
most aggressive 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 so pounds he becomes the tar
get for every hunter, native or white.
who rests eyes upon him; thus 1t is
only the more crafty or timid individ-
uals that. seeking the protection Of
large herds or clinging to the more in
accessible regions, such as dense for
ests, manage to survive to a ripe old
age and develop a growth Of ivory.
"At another time, I was watching
herd from an ant hill, when from the
cows there was low, ominous rumble
like distant thunder, which was plain
talk and meant trouble. A 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. If 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 to-
ward us. came half way and stopped.
They had lost the wind, but immedi-
ately caught it again, and roaring and
screaming with redoubled energy came
into view over a slight rise. 1t was
disconcerting spectacle. Their great
ears at full spread, trunks thrashing
wildly, a roaring. screaming mass, 40
tons of female elephant vengeance. /
remember that felt homesick. A RI
1e shot stopped the leader, but en-
couraged by the others, she came on.
only to be knocked down by the second
shot. The others crowded about her.
shifted and bolted. The old cow slow
ly regained her feet and staggered
away. while we in deep gratitude re-
turned to camp"