Dec 10, 2008: Mango Express

[SPUCK]

Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia happens to have been built next to a mango tree that one family of pachyderms have always visited when the fruit ripens. When they returned one year and found the luxury accommodation in the way, they simply walked through reception. The animals came in two-by-two: Hotel staff and visitors have gotten used to the elephants' impromptu strolls through reception

Now the family group, headed by matriarch Wonky Tusk, return every November to gorge on mangoes - up to four times a day. Andy Hogg, 44, director at the Bushcamp Company that runs the Lodge, has lived in South Luangwa National Park since 1982. In all his years of dealing with wild animals he has never seen such intimate interaction between man and beast. "This is the only place in the world where elephants freely get so close to humans," says the 44-year-old. "The elephants start coming through base camp in late November of each year to eat the mangoes from our trees. When they are ripe they come through and they stand about for four to six weeks coming back each day or second day to eat the mangoes."

In the 5,000 square mile national park, the Mfuwe Lodge consists of seven camps and the base camp where the elephants come through.

Cleanup in reception, STAT!