Craig, Amboseli's legendary tusker dies at 54

Craig, the legendary super tusker famed for his immense, ground-sweeping tusks and calm, dignified presence, has died in Kimana area, just outside Amboseli National Park. He was 54.

Craig, born to the great matriarch Cassandra of the CB family, was one of the last remaining super tuskers in Africa, a rare class of bull elephants whose two tusks weigh over 45 kilograms each. Fewer than a handful remain, making him a monument to Africa’s natural heritage.

He fathered a number of calves, ensuring that his powerful bloodline and gentle character live on across generations.

According to the Big Life Foundation, Craig seemed to be in much trouble much of Friday, collapsing intermittently, before standing and moving short distances.

“Big Life’s rangers stayed with him through the night but at 03:32 am (Saturday), he lay down and didn’t get up again. Unfortunately, there was nothing that could be done,” said the organisation.

Kenya Wildlife Service will send a veterinarian to conduct a post mortem, take samples and remove the tusks for safekeeping.

As elephants go, Craig was remarkably calm in nature in an ecosystem where the jumbos are revered for their brute forces. According to conservationists, he was one of the most widely documented, photographed and admired globally, becoming a true ambassador of Amboseli and a symbol of successful conservation.

“He appeared to understand its place in the world, often pausing patiently as visitors photographed and filmed him,” states KWS in a media statement.

According to KWS, Craig was adopted by East African Breweries Limited (EABL) through the Tusker brand in 2021. “His long life and survival to such maturity were made possible through decades of dedicated protection by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), working in close collaboration with conservation partners and the local community,” said KWS.

“Continuous monitoring, anti-poaching efforts, habitat protection, and community stewardship ensured that Craig lived freely and safely, demonstrating what collective commitment to wildlife conservation can achieve.”  

The CB family of which he belonged has been monitored by elephant conservationists such as Cynthia Moss since the 1970s. According to Moss, Craig has lived a full life but was getting weaker as he could not digest the food well due to worn out teeth. Elephants usually grow six sets of teeth in their lifetime and for Craig, the last set was gone

“He was getting old and his sixth set of teeth was worn out and therefore could not chew the food properly,” says Cynthis Moss, talking to Sunday Standard.

According to Moss, Craig’s death is not just a blow to conservation but to the local Maasai who gained needed revenue as they guided visitors to see the big tusker.

“He was much beloved by the local Maasai community who benefited immensely from the revenue. While his death is a big blow to the big tuskers, we are comforted by the fact that other younger tuskers are coming up thanks to the robust conservation taking place,” says Moss.

Elephants with tusks as big as Craig’s, says Big Life, had become increasingly rare, as they have been the target of poachers and trophy hunters.