Troncovaca

The troncovaca (Notiomastodon latidens), also known colloquially as the lowland tusker, is a cow-sized gomphothere native to the dry broadleaf forests of Meridia, and one of the few extant proboscideans native to the New World. The species name, latidens, is derived from the broad tusks exhibited by older animals, which splay outwards before curving back in, similar to distantly related mammoth species. These gomphotheres live in matriarchal herds similar to true elephants, often numbering around twenty members. These family groups have been observed to congregate into massive "super herds" comprised of hundreds of individuals during the rainy season. Bulls are largely solitary, though particularly old individuals may sometimes be accompanied by younger males to form small bachelor herds. Troncovaca was one of the few species not extensively hunted by indigenous groups due to the perceived family structure of the animals, elevating them to prey taken only during times of dire need. During European colonization, troncovaca populations were nearly extincted due to unsustainable hunting and land clearing for cattle pastures. Regulations have since allowed interior populations to somewhat recover, but northeastern populations have been completely wiped out, and as such are candidates for rewilding efforts.