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This page shows pictures of the drama of a dead elephant and how nature takes care of things. It might not be for the squeamish.
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One morning just outside Letaba Camp in Kruger, we came across a dead elephant right next to the road. The rangers were there getting the trunk, the brain and the stomach in order to determine how the elephant might have died. We never did find that out. The park rangers also cleared some of the bush so the sight could be seen more easily later.
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When we came by in the afternoon, the carcass was covered with vultures. There were hundreds on the ground and in the trees too. The stench was almost unbearable.
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They said that the sounds from the area could be heard all night long at Letaba Camp--lions, hyena, and jackals. We came by the next morning and the scene was very quiet. Even the odor was gone.
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Just one curious hooded vulture. This made us very curious so we moved the car back a little so we could see further into the bush.
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And then we could see why there were no scavengers around. Look to the right rear and you can see a little tawny head.......
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......which turned out to be the largest lion any of us had ever seen. He was obviously resting with a full stomach, but guarding his giant cache from any interlopers.
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He occasionally glared at us, but didn't get up. We hated to leave but in the Kruger Park you have to be back in camp by sunset.
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On our last day in South Africa we went back to the Kruger Park. The Phalaborwa gate is only ten minutes from Erika and Tony's house. We naturally went to see the elephant and were astounded to see just a pile of bones. It had been only 12 days and over 7000 pounds (3400 Kg.) of elephant had been cleaned up. Isn't nature amazing?!?
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Now let's see something cheerier--zebras. Click on the zebras to go to page four.
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