Craig the Elephant: Why super tusker captured hearts across Kenya, world

Craig the Elephant: Why super tusker captured hearts across Kenya, world

After more than five decades, Craig, one of Kenya’s most iconic elephants, died of natural causes in Amboseli National Park.

The super tusker suffered from advanced molar wear, a common condition in older bull elephants that gradually limits their ability to feed.

But for years, Craig roamed the open plains of Amboseli, his massive silhouette framed by the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.

For those who saw him, it was akin to witnessing strength wrapped in calm, and age tempered by wisdom.

Craig was a super tusker, a rare title reserved for the largest and most extraordinary elephants.

His tusks, each weighing over 45 kilograms (100 lbs), nearly brushed the ground as he walked, a remarkable survival in a world where ivory often meant death.

Standing approximately 3.2 metres (10.5 feet) tall at the shoulder and weighing between 6 and 7 tonnes, Craig embodied quiet dominance, his size commanding respect.

"Craig was one of the last remaining super tuskers in Africa - a rare class of bull elephants whose two tusks weigh over 45kg (100lb) each. Fewer than a handful remain today, making him a living monument to Africa's natural heritage," described the Kenya Wildlife Service. 

Despite his imposing presence, Craig was gentle and deliberate.

Rangers and researchers observed his careful feeding habits, preferring softer grasses, shrubs, and acacia leaves that required less effort to chew.

Craig’s influence extended beyond the savannah.

In 2021, he became a brand ambassador for Tusker, Kenya’s iconic beer, symbolising strength, heritage, and conservation.

His image bridged wildlife protection and popular culture, raising awareness of the importance of safeguarding elephants for future generations.

Perhaps his most lasting contribution was genetic.

As a breeding bull, Craig carried rare genes for large tusks, traits increasingly scarce due to decades of selective poaching.

In the days following his death, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) made a special decision regarding Craig’s remains.

His ground‑sweeping tusks were carefully removed and secured for conservation and security purposes, protecting them from the risk of illegal trade and ensuring that they continue to serve the cause of elephant conservation even after his passing.

This act is intended as a tribute to his legacy and a safeguard for his iconic features. 

Craig was widely mourned across Kenya and beyond.

Many praised KWS for its efforts to preserve his tusks, while others suggested that, like other legendary elephants before him, his memory and physical remains might one day be featured in a museum to educate future generations about Africa’s wildlife heritage and the importance of conservation.

His passing marks the end of an era for Amboseli and Kenya’s wildlife heritage.