Rogue elephant escapes in Rwanda   (source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4993574.stm)

An infamous elephant, Mutware, has escaped from a game park in Rwanda terrifying villagers, admit wildlife officials.

Conservation officer Fidel Ruzigandekwe said trackers were trying to find him after he left Akagera National Park. The bull elephant acquired a fearsome reputation last year when a US security warning was issued about his temper.
"We can no longer move; we are in fear of Mutware, who has destroyed our gardens," a resident told a newspaper.
A former keeper told the BBC the elephant has been known to storm off before, usually when he is hungry.
"He has destroyed crops but so far no-one has reported any damage to infrastructure," Mr Ruzigandekwe, who works for Rwanda's Tourism and National Parks Office, told AFP news agency.

Mutware has become popular with local tourists, who flock to see him wallowing in Lake Ihema. Last year, the 37-year-old elephant destroyed at least three vehicles in the park, prompting the US embassy warning, the agency reports.
The park does not have a fence, but Mutware is usually accompanied by park rangers.
Park rangers say Mutware usually has a good character and violent incidents in the past came about because foolhardy visitors ventured into the park without guides.
After the latest incident, a barrier was being considered, Mr Ruzigandekwe said.

Elephant prompts embassy warning  (source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4514294.stm)

Mutware, a Rwandan elephant, maintains a fearsome reputation that has been further fuelled by a United States government security warning.

The elephant has destroyed at least three vehicles in recent months, terrifying visitors, AFP reports.
Mutware can normally be found wallowing in Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park.
Earlier this year, the US embassy in Kigali issued a formal warning about Mutware, after diplomats complained to the Rwandan government.
"Recently, this elephant has displayed more aggressive behaviour towards visitors to the point that actual charging and physical contact with vehicles has occurred," the US State Department warned.

It's only in the mating season that he gets aggressive and that's because he's solitary and has no female.
James Muhizi, game ranger

"The embassy has notified the Rwandan Office of Tourism and National Parks and expressed our concerns about these incidents," it said, advising US citizens "to exercise extra caution" in Akagera.

But park rangers say the violent incidents happen only when foolhardy visitors venture into the park without guides.
They also say Mutware's bad tempers are the result of loneliness.
"It's only in the mating season that he gets aggressive and that's because he's solitary and has no female," ranger James Muhizi told AFP.

"The first sign he's feeling aggressive is that he flaps his ears - the second is that he sends clouds of dust up into the air and the third sign is when he stamps his foot on the ground.
When that happens you'd better get out of the area," Mr Muhizi concluded.

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