PROFITS' FROM ELEPHANTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18025, 25 February 1922, Page 8 (Supplement)

PROFITS' FROM ELEPHANTS.

SMALL OF LATE YEARS, VALUE AND WEIGHT OF TUSKS. Contrary to general belief, elephants are a long way from becoming extinct. The quantity of ivory exported from Africa up to about twelve years ago, much of which was the heavy male variety weighing from 1001b. to 2001b. per tusk, mainly led to this assumption. The Belgian Congo and its adjacent Lado Enclave proved a veritable diamond dump for hunter*, inasmuch as these territories were overrun by what are generally known as " rogue " elephants, but which were really old males chased out of the various herds by their younger and more agile offspring. At this period most of these mammoths did not-know the gun, and in many cases five to fifteen were killed by consecutive shots within a radius of half a mile. One lucky hunter was known to g_et nineteen in tfiis manner, his bag weighing approximately 35001b., at a spot value of about £1700'. Certain districts in the French Congo contain many of these "rogues," but they are very difficult of travel, water being scarce and the natives hostile and treacherous. But in so far as the more accessible territories are concerned, this fascinating and get-rich-quick sport practically came to an end ten years ago. The hunting of elephants has long been prohibited by most of the civilised Governments, excepting on a big-game license, costing £50, and on which only one malo elephant, carrying tusks of a minimum 301b. each can be shot. To judge this weight in \\6 live state on a crowd of " youngsters " is difficult for the hunter up against his first tuskers. Generally, if that portion seen approximates to an equal length from a man's elbow to his finger-tip* and equal in thickness at the lip to a good, strong forearm, the tusks will weigh from 321b.* to 371b. each. An excellent bag would bo one carrying 3001b. of ivory. Such .an elephant would bo about 150' years old and the hairs of his tail would be worn down to about 4 inches-. This patriarch would bo 12ft. to 14ft. at the shoulder, weigh about 4.} tons, the forefeet would measure about 17in. across the pad. and the only item of real commercial value from the hunter's view point is the ivory. Cutting out the tusks is usually a four-man job and takes i about four hours. I

Female ivory, Commercially know-n as " 8.8. " (billiards ball) differs from the male in that it is whiter, tho grain much closer, and it is not given to cracking and warping a,s in the case of the male. It rarely exceeds 301b. per tusk, but its valuo is nearly double that of the male variety. Elephants are extraordinarily intelligent even in their wild sixte, but it is an astonishing fact that with all this intelligence the males will invariably permit the approach of human beings (on tho right side of the wind) to within 20 or 30 yards with the utmost unconcern. It is on this account inai.y hunters believe that they are blind to .anything at close quarters. This opinion, however, is discounted by the fact that the females, particularly if they are with young get very curious and more often than not investigate matters, and if they do, do so with trunk aloft, head and ears back, and a "■ get-out-of-lhe-way-I'm-coming" toot which beats anything in the jungle.