Photo Credit: Thomson Safaris

The African elephant is larger than its Asiatic cousin and has a sloping as opposed to a straight back and much larger ears. If you see a herd of elephants it is most likely to be either an all male group or a family unit Like the baboon and the lion, the social system of the elephant is based on close family kin. Daughters remain in the same herd as their mothers and grandmothers, while males leave once they reach adolescence. The young males then frequent bachelor groups which are not permanent and often change composition.

If you watch a female herd you may be able to spot the matriarch. This is usually the oldest and largest animal who acts as the leader, particularly during defense when she will govern the course of action. Elephants can live for 60 years and a female may give birth by the time she is 12 years old, after a gestation period of 22 months. When a baby elephant is born, only 80 centimeters (31.5 inches) high, the whole herd is attentive to it and will be very protective, especially against lions.

Elephants use their trunks for several purposes: feeding, drinking and greeting others. They can be recognized individually by looking at the shape of their tusks and nicks in the outline of their ears. Both male and female African elephants have tusks and tusk length and circumference can also be used to determine the age of an animal.

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You may notice in this part of the Park the impact elephants have on the woodlands. This is mainly noticeable in the dry season because in the wet months of the year, when the vegetation is lush, elephants do not feed on the trees. During the dry season, when grasses are short and unpalatable, the elephants turn to the trees to supplement their diet.

Although the Manyara elephants are quite placid, it is still dangerous to approach them too closely, especially if they show signs of aggression such as head shaking or spreading of the ears. Always give them right of way if you encounter them on the road.