Addo Elephant Game Reserve, Port Elizabeth

This Reserve lies East of the Sunday's River and North of Port Elizabeth. In about 1931, about 680 ha. was enclosed to form the Addo Elephant National Park. The name is of Khoikhoi origin and means 'poison ravine', named after the succulents which grow there. 

The male African Elephant are the largest extant terrestrial animal and can reach a height of 4 m and weigh over 7 000 kg. All elephants have several distinctive features, the most noticeable being the long trunk or proboscis, used for many purposes particularly breathing, lifting water and grasping objects. Their incisor teeth, grow into tusks which can serve as weapons or tools for moving objects and digging. Elephants' large ears flap, to help control their body temperature. Their pillar-like legs can carry their great weight! Elephants are herbivorous and can be found in different habitats including savannahs, forests, deserts and marshes. (They prefer to stay near water, ie. the Sundays River!)

Unfortunately, one of the biggest threats to the elephant Population is the Ivory Trade. These animals are illegally poached for their tusks!