Bull Elephant

Ruaha National Park, Tanzania, 2007

A B&W portrait of a regal bull elephant in Ruaha National Park, Tanazania. There's nothing quite like an old bull elephant's leathery skin, worn tusks, thick trunk, and broad forehead. Features that convey wisdom, experience, and power. 

Our visit to Ruaha, Tanzania's largest reserve, in 2007 was remarkable. With over 34,000 elephants and few visitors, we had good sightings of lions, elephants and other wildlife. Sadly, since our visit, Tanzania's elephants have been decimated by ivory poaching. According to the Great Elephant Census, which was released in August 2016, Tanzania's population is down a staggering 60% in just the past five years with Ruaha's number down further still. A crisis of unthinkable proportions.