The Immortelle…

Almost exactly 11 years ago to the day, we were walking in the riparian forest along the Limpopo River in Makuleke when we stumbled upon a rather sad, yet endearing, scene.

Anthrax is an endemic bacteria which propagates via tiny spores which settles in and is omnipresent in the soil, activates during long dry spells and is usually fatal within a day or two of infection…even in elephant.

Weaving through the tall forest we followed our noses which detected the unmistakable scent of decomposition. After about 100m of walking into the wind, we discovered the remains of a youngish elephant which succumbed to the recent anthrax outbreak.

What struck me more than the shrivelled desiccated skin draped over the skeletal remains surrounded by dried leaves and old elephant dung, was the subtle yet vivid sprinkling of mauve petals from a nearby Apple-leaf tree.

It was as if the tree, mourning the passing of a gentle giant, cast its blossoms onto the burial as a farewell bouquet…an immortelle of sorts…

After a moment in silent homage, we carried on our way.  

Yours in respect,