非洲象（African Elephant）

在克鲁格公园，除了Impala，象算是我最常见到的动物，据知数量之多已构成生物链里逐渐趋于不平衡现象。由於南非动物保育措施成效卓越，而使得象群的数量激增。自從南非頒布扑杀禁令后，至今克魯格国家公园的大象数量已有1万2000只。每一头大象一天的食量高达250公斤；他们破坏植物、扯倒树木或是將树木連根拔起以及剝食树皮，嚴重改變了地景。飢餓的大象加上吞噬倒树與幼树，已开始把克魯格国家公园部分丛林茂密的热带草原转变成了灌丛草原，為斑马之类的草食性动物提供了棲地，卻破坏了老鹰及其他鳥类的营巢之所。
非洲象属于母系社会，由团队中最年长的母象带头，成年公象则独自生活，到了交配季节才加入大团队。他们的平均寿命可活到6、70年以上。非洲象看起来温驯，但千万不能靠近它。当他们的去路被挡，他们很可能会突然咆哮，然后跑过来掀翻你的车。

There are approximately 12000 elephant in the Kruger Park – over population is an environmental concern. Largest land mammal, big males can weigh three and a half tons, its heart alone weighs 25kgs; life span of approximately 60 years, seldom stays more than 80km from water source. At puberty, males leaves the herd to form small bachelor groups. An elephant need to spend most of the day eating or drinking to maintain its daily intake of as much as 200 litres of water and 250kg of grass. Elephant frequently charge vehicles but these are usually only mock charges. However, remember that they can be extremely dangerous and keep a respectful distance!