The last of the big tuskers: Craig

Craig, one of Africa’s largest remaining tuskers has sadly died..

Craig, one of Africa’s largest remaining tuskers and a major tourism draw in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park, died on 4 January aged 54, according to Big Life Foundation. The organisation also said his death was likely due to age-related complications from severely worn molars, with a necropsy pending, and noted that field teams that watched and protected him stayed with him until the end.

Known for his calm temperament around people and extraordinary tusks, Craig was among the most photographed elephants in Africa and lived largely peacefully alongside neighbouring communities. With big tuskers increasingly rare due to historic poaching and trophy hunting, his long life and natural death reflect conservation gains in the Amboseli ecosystem, while his loss underscores the need for sustained efforts to protect all remaining elephants in East Africa.

The Original is not available for purchase