The Tsavo Conservation Area is one of the last few remaining strongholds of the elephant Super Tusker, with an estimated 11 Super Tuskers identified and monitored by Tsavo Trust out of an estimated 30 in the world. There is one particularly unique super Tusker who stands out—not because of the size of his tusks, but because he only has one.
In this article, we explore what it means to be a one-tusked elephant. We’ll look at how tusks grow and break, whether they can regenerate, and how elephants like MM1 and RO1 adapt to life with a single tusk. Along the way, we’ll uncover the fascinating anatomy and behavioural significance of tusks—and why protecting these remarkable individuals matters more than ever.
What Is a Super Tusker?
Super Tuskers are extraordinary bull elephants with tusks weighing more than 100 pounds (45 kg) each. These giants are extremely rare—fewer than 30 remain globally—and many of them roam the Tsavo Conservation Area, with 11 being monitored by Tsavo Trust.
The one-tusked bull known by the codename MM1 featured here is among these elite few. Despite the loss of one tusk, he continues to thrive in the wild, a testament to the strength and adaptability of elephants.
Meet MM1 and RO1: The One-Tusked Super Tuskers
MM1 is a large bull elephant with one very long tusk, stretching nearly 7 feet beyond his lip. His right tusk weighs over 50 kg and curves impressively down to the ground. The complete absence of a left tusk suggests it was broken close to the root—possibly during a clash with another bull. Despite being a “mono” Super Tusker, MM1 proudly carries the remarkable genes of Tsavo’s legendary elephants. Known for his shy and elusive nature, he prefers solitude and roams vast swathes of the Tsavo Conservation Area, often moving with the seasons.
RO1 is another remarkable Super Tusker known for his aggressive nature. RO1 has been observed charging both ground patrols and aircraft. His behaviour may be linked to his broken right tusk, which likely exposed the sensitive pulp cavity. In photos of RO1, the blackened interior of the broken tusk is sometimes visible. Though often seen alone, his remaining left tusk is one of the most massive and impressive in the region—thick, heavy, and unmistakably worthy of Super Tusker status.
How Do Elephants Use Their Tusks?
Tusks are multifunctional tools and weapons. Elephants use them for:
- Digging for water and minerals.
- Stripping bark from trees.
- Moving branches and clearing pathways.
- Defending themselves or asserting dominance during male rivalry.
- Communication, such as displays of strength or intimidation.
In the case of a one-tusked elephant, many of these tasks must be adapted. These elephants would develop a stronger preference for using their remaining tusk or rely more on their trunk. While they might be at a slight disadvantage in certain situations—such as in confrontations with other bulls—many continue to thrive for years after losing a tusk.
Can Tusks Grow Back?
Elephant tusks are actually elongated upper incisors that grow continuously throughout an elephant’s life. These tusks are rooted deep within the skull—socketed into the upper jaw just below the nasal cavity. At the base of each tusk lies a funnel-shaped pulp cavity, rich with blood vessels and nerve tissue. This living tissue is responsible for the production of ivory and can, under certain circumstances, recover from trauma.
If only the tip or outer portion of the tusk is broken, growth may continue normally. However, if the tusk is snapped closer to the socket or damaged at the pulp, the situation becomes more complex.
Historical accounts and anatomical studies show that elephants can sometimes continue to grow ivory even after severe tusk injuries. In some recorded cases, after a tusk was broken off near the base, the pulp cavity responded by sealing itself with a new mass of ivory. This sealed the exposed pulp from the environment, allowing disturbed—but ongoing—ivory formation. The result may be a regrown, misshapen, or shortened tusk. While not common, these cases demonstrate the remarkable healing ability of the tusk’s pulp and the resilience of elephants in the wild.
However, if the entire tusk, including the living tissue and root, is destroyed or removed, it will not grow back.
This ability to recover and adapt highlights the toughness of elephants like Tsavo’s one-tusked Super Tusker—proof that even with one tusk, an elephant can continue to thrive.
What Causes a Tusk to Break?
Tusks can break for a number of reasons:
- Fighting between males, especially during musth.
- Accidents, such as falling or striking hard surfaces.
- Infection or decay that weakens the ivory.
- Poaching attempts, though in Tsavo’s protected zones, this is much less common thanks to ongoing conservation efforts.
Once broken, a tusk exposes the sensitive pulp inside, which can lead to infection if not sealed naturally.
Do Broken Tusks Affect Dominance or Survival?
While tusks are used in displays and combat, they are not the sole determinant of dominance. A one-tusked elephant can still assert himself through body size, temperament, and experience. What’s more, elephants are intelligent and adaptable. Many learn to compensate for a missing tusk with their trunk or remaining tusk.
In Tsavo, rangers and researchers have seen one-tusked bulls maintain social status, navigate complex terrain, and continue their role in the ecosystem as ecosystem engineers and seed dispersers.
Why Tsavo Is a Safe Haven for Super Tuskers
The Tsavo Conservation Area remains one of the last strongholds for Super Tuskers thanks to:
- Anti-poaching patrols and aerial surveillance by Tsavo Trust.
- Community engagement through initiatives like the Kamungi Conservancy.
- Long-term monitoring of elephants, including photographic and field-based ID.
Protecting elephants with unique tusk traits—whether symmetrical, broken, or singular—is part of preserving the broader genetic diversity of the species.
Final Thoughts
The one-tusked Super Tuskers of Tsavo may be missing a piece of ivory, but they are not diminished. They represent the resilience of nature and the importance of continued conservation.
Tusks are tools, weapons, symbols, and identities. And even when one is lost, life goes on.