The bull elephant, which Dr. Anthony Hall-Martin named “Ndlulamithi” in 1980, was one of the largest elephants in the Kruger National Park. He earned his name from his appearance which is a traditional Tsonga word meaning “taller than the trees”. His shoulder height was estimated at 11 ft 4 in.
His handsomely curved tusks, the left one sweeping low and well forward, were significantly more twisted than those of the other large bulls in the Kruger. The left tusk was 9 ft 5 in long and weighed 142 lb. The other tusk measured 9 ft in length and weighed 126 lb.
Known for his aggressiveness and intolerance towards man, Ndlulamithi was feared and respected by all, including Dr. Hall-Martin who was nearly trampled to death while conducting research on the Kruger’s great tuskers. Ndlulamithi died in 1985, apparently of natural causes.