Elephants
This was the very first time that I had tried facing up to an elephant at really close quarters and it worked. Later I repeated this exercise on a few more occasions , but it is not one that I would ever recommend to others as it does require a degree of coolness and deep knowledge of bush-craft to get away from such a predicament.
A NIGHT’S ADVENTURE: Mike had obtained a permit to shoot an elephant that had been causing a lot of trouble to the local villagers. We arrived at the village at about 3 pm and within about half an hour a boy reported that there was a herd about half a mile away. At the time I had little detailed experience of African elephants so this expedition was a chance to learn more and gain some knowledge. The herd was feeding on leaves and branches and occasionally there would be a drumming noise as an elephant would bump his huge head against a palm tree and shake down its nuts. The wind was slight with a gentle breeze and we carefully moved close down wind. After about a quarter of an hour careful watching we got the general direction of the herd and there were so many that the whole area seemed full of animals but very hard to individually identify in the thick bush . So we made a large detour to head them off and arrived at a small open glade that was in line of their direction of travel only a few yards wide. We waited and sure enough soon the whole of this section of the herd came through and crossed in front of us. We counted seventeen animals as they crashed through the forest breaking branches like matchwood that made one realise at first hand the immense power and strength of these beasts. As they passed we noticed a very large old bull and we decided to close in. As I moved across another small glade, I suddenly was amazed to find myself facing a large cow elephant only 10 yards ahead that had moved so quietly through the shade that I not noticed her, but she had noticed my movement! Now although elephant are quick to notice motion their power of associating a stationary shape of a human or other creature is poor. So I “Froze” absolutely still and watched her with trunk out sniffing the air. Luckily the wind was in my favour and so she was was groping for a suspected scent. Her great ears flapped open back and forth as she first turned away, but then suddenly swung back and looked straight at me as I stood absolutely rigid. Her suspicions allayed, but feeling restless and a bit petulant perhaps she pushed over a 30 ft tree for the fun of it. It was an impressive demonstration at such close range, and fortunately she sheared off and disappeared into the bush. I stood still for a couple of minutes more and then went on to the next open glade.
Heading towards us now was the big bull that we wanted, so we moved over about 30 yds into a patch of tall grass to meet him. He passed about 25yds away and Mike fired a heart shot with his .550. I also fired with my .303 for his brain but missed. The result was spectacular and immediate. Elephant appeared on all sides and closed on the wounded one and within a few seconds had surrounded him and had moved him about 100 yds to the middle of the glade where they faced outwards, throwing up sand and dust with their trunks to get the wind direction. Gradually they calmed down and we tried to move in a bit closer, but the first rustle of grass caused all the elphant on our side of the circle to swing round and face us, ears out, trunks up, and then more dust was thrown. So far everything had taken place in complete silence without a word passing between us as we watched. I felt however it was just as well to wait as Mike must have hit a vital spot and it was on a question of time before he collapsed and then only would the herd finally break away and leave him. Now waiting is all very well and we waited from 4.30 until about 5.45 pm and it was starting to get dark, which comes quite quickly there. We could also hear the African drums from the village who were evidently calling us back before nightfall, so as the herd were still standing firmly on guard we thought it wisest to make a run for it.