Standing under his favourite sycamore tree, the creature's gigantic heart gave one last beat before, as a final monument to his great life, he buried one massive tusk into the ground... and that was how he was found in 1981. This peaceful pachy was known as one of the largest of ‘The Magnificent Seven’ of the Kruger and his tusks weighed 115 kg when he died at the age of 65.

Age

Shingwedzi Rest Camp is one of the most famous rest and river camps in the Kruger National Park, just like the legendary elephant that shares its name. The name comes from the Tsonga word, Ngwetse, which roughly translated means - the sound of iron rubbing together, or place of iron, as some language experts believe.

This quintessential gentle giant loved lounging in the shade of the sycamore trees, and on many occasions vehicles had to wait their turn before driving on as this pleasant and peaceful behemoth ambled leisurely down the road, unafraid and accustomed to cars.

On Friday, January 16, 1981, at an estimated age of 65, the legendary elephant suffered a fatal heart attack on the banks of the Shingwedzi River.