Legendary ‘Super Tusker’ elephant Craig dies peacefully in Amboseli
Craig, one of Africa’s most iconic and beloved elephants, has passed away peacefully from natural causes this morning in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park.
At approximately 54 years old, his long life represents a significant conservation success for the protectors who guarded him around the clock from poachers eager to claim his immense tusks.
Born in January 1972 to the great matriarch Cassandra, Craig was celebrated globally as a calm and dignified ambassador for his species, often pausing patiently as visitors from around the world photographed him.
He was a quintessential “Super Tusker,” a rare designation for fewer than 30 bull elephants whose tusks each weigh over 45 kilograms.
His own tusks were so long they nearly touched the ground as he walked. This majestic trait made him a living monument to Africa’s natural heritage but also a perpetual target.
His remarkable survival is credited to decades of dedicated protection by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), conservation partners, and the local Maasai community, whose anti-poaching and habitat protection efforts allowed him to live freely and safely.
His global appeal was formally recognized in 2021 when he was adopted by East African Breweries Limited (EABL) through its Tusker brand, highlighting his status as a symbol of successful conservation. Craig’s gentle character and powerful bloodline live on through the many calves he fathered across generations.
His death follows that of another famed tusker, Tim, and underscores the gradual fading of these legendary elephants from the landscape.
Earlier this year, Craig’s resilience was tested during a serious health scare where he was found in severe distress, but he recovered fully. For those who knew him, an encounter with the gentle giant was a profound experience, cementing his status as an individual who deeply touched all who witnessed him.
As the world remembers Craig, his legacy endures in the protected Amboseli ecosystem and serves as a powerful demonstration of what collective commitment to wildlife can achieve.