Dominant Addo elephant killed by brother
Dominant Addo elephant killed by brother
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- Created on Saturday, 10 March 2012 17:53
HAPOOR JUNIOR, one of the offspring of the legendary elephant bull Hapoor who dominated Addo for 24 years, has died at his Pumba Private Game Reserve home after he was attacked by his brother, Nick. He was 58.
On Tuesday morning, a field guide at the Eastern Cape reserve heard elephant screams.
“Upon arriving at the scene, he discovered a severely injured Hapoor Junior who had been attacked by Nick, his brother, another dominant bull. Nick showed no remorse towards him as he asserted his dominance on Hapoor Junior by continually mounting him,” said a reserve statement. Hapoor Junior died later of his injuries.
Pumba’s Head Ranger Richard Pearce said: “Hapoor Junior’s death is a sad day for all of us at Pumba. May his legacy live on in the offspring he has sired.”
Hapoor Junior was born at Addo in 1954, sired by Hapoor, the park’s dominating bull. The SANParks website says Hapoor was named for a nick in his ear caused by a hunter’s bullet.
“Hapoor retained a deep hatred of humans throughout his life. On more than one occasion park staff were forced to flee to safety when Hapoor made his appearance. His dominance stretched from 1944 to 1968,” the website read.
“Hapoor Junior was admired and respected by all field and lodge staff. He would often visit the lodges to use the thatch roof as a site to scratch his ears,” the statement read.
Hapoor Junior was relocated
to Pumba in 2005 when Addo decided to relocate 12 big bulls to private reserves in the Eastern Cape to diminish competition and fighting among Addo bulls.
Hapoor had been the dominant bull in Addo for over 20 years, killing eight bulls who challenged his dominance.
Two of Hapoor Junior’s younger brothers moved to Pumba at the same time – Derek and Nick. Hapoor Junior quickly imposed his dominance over the new herd.
In 2007, Derek challenged Hapoor Junior’s dominance, resulting in his death. Staff say Hapoor Junior’s dominance stretched to tractors and game viewing vehicles.
Staff noticed last year that Nick was beginning to oppose Hapoor Junior’s dominance.
