The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has announced plans to preserve Craig, the legendary Amboseli National Park super tusker, through a professional taxidermy process, ensuring that the iconic elephant’s legacy lives on for future generations.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, KWS said the preservation process is already underway following Craig’s death earlier this month at the age of 54.
“Craig’s life exemplified the success of collective conservation efforts. Through taxidermy preservation, we are ensuring that his legacy endures beyond his lifetime, offering future generations a tangible connection to Kenya’s rich wildlife heritage,” said KWS Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga.
According to KWS, the completed taxidermy mount will be housed at a designated facility where it will be accessible to the public for viewing, learning and conservation awareness.
The agency said further details regarding the location and timeline for public access will be communicated in due course.
KWS said the decision to preserve Craig through taxidermy reflects his extraordinary ecological, scientific and cultural value.
The process involves the meticulous preservation of his skin and the definition of his physical features to create a lifelike mount that can be used for education, research, and public exhibition.
Widely celebrated for his massive tusks and calm disposition, Craig was one of Africa’s last remaining super tuskers, an exceptionally rare category of elephants whose tusks weigh more than 45 kilograms each.
Born in January 1972 to Cassandra, the famed matriarch of the CB family, Craig rose to global prominence as a symbol of Amboseli’s thriving elephant population and the success of long-term conservation efforts in Kenya.
With fewer than a handful of super tuskers left on the continent, his life represented both the fragility and resilience of Africa’s wildlife heritage.
Beyond his striking appearance, Craig played a significant role in sustaining Amboseli’s elephant population. Over his lifetime, he fathered numerous calves, helping pass on vital genetic traits to subsequent generations.
His gentle and dignified nature also made him a favourite among researchers, conservationists and visitors, earning him recognition as a global ambassador for Amboseli National Park.
KWS has called on Kenyans and the global community to honor Craig’s memory by reflecting on the importance of protecting wildlife and preserving natural ecosystems.