The Magnificent Seven

The “Magnificent Seven”, together they have become a legend – the seven magnificent tuskers that once roamed South Africa’s world-renowned Kruger National Park. Mafunyane, whose perfectly matched tusks rested on the ground; Shingwedzi, the placid bull of the north; Kambaku, who was wounded outside the park and shot by a Ranger; Joao, who later broke of both his enormous tusks; Dzombo, who was killed by a gang of poachers; Ndlulamithi, the intolerant one; and Shawu, who had the longest tusks ever recorded in Southern Africa.  What made these beasts exceptional were their huge, impressive tusks, all weighing in excess of 100 pounds each. 

Shingwedzi, Shawu and Kambaku were known as gentle giants, and visitors to the Kruger often encountered them at close range.  Mafunyane and Ndlulamithi, however, were less tolerant and avoided man as far as possible.

The man who knew these seven tuskers intimately, who studied them closely and who has become somewhat of a legend himself is Dr. Anthony Hall-Martin, world-famous expert on the ecology and behavior of both the African elephant and the black rhinoceros.  Dr. Hall-Martin has studies elephants in many parts of Africa.  He lived with his family at Skukuza in the Kruger Park for 13 years, where his interest in the great tuskers developed.  During this time he had a close encounter when he was charged and nearly trampled by Ndlulamithi while photographing the irritable bull. 

As they passed away one after the other, the tusks and skulls of the magnificent Seven were retrieved and today can be admired in the Elephant Museum at Letaba rest Camp in the Kruger National Park. 

The seven magnificent bulls who once roamed the Kruger wilderness may be gone, but their memory lives on and has inspired many a writer and artist to capture their untamed spirit for future generations.  It is thanks to these elephants the Ainslie and Dr. Hall –Martin came together and joined their expertise and artistic talent to create the Magnificent Seven series of exclusive bronze sculptures.