Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has announced the death of Craig, the legendary Amboseli super tusker whose towering presence and iconic, ground-sweeping tusks made him one of the most recognisable elephants in the world.
The 54-year-old elephant died early this morning in Amboseli National Park, marking the loss of a rare conservation icon and one of the last remaining super tuskers in Africa.
“Craig was more than an elephant; he was a living symbol of Kenya’s natural heritage and a global ambassador for wildlife conservation,” KWS said in a statement.
Born in January 1972 to the revered matriarch Cassandra of the CB elephant family, Craig grew to become one of the most recognisable elephants in the world and among the last remaining super tuskers in Africa.
“As one of the last remaining super tuskers in Africa, Craig represented a vanishing generation of giants,” the statement added.
Super tuskers are an exceptionally rare class of bull elephants whose tusks weigh more than 45 kilograms (100 pounds) each.
Today, fewer than a handful are believed to remain on the continent, making Craig not just an individual elephant, but a living monument to Africa’s vanishing giants.
His passing underscores the fragility of this unique lineage and the urgency of continued conservation efforts.
Beyond his extraordinary ivory, Craig was widely admired for his gentle and calm disposition. Unlike many bulls, he moved peacefully through Amboseli’s plains, often pausing unbothered as tourists, researchers, and filmmakers captured his image.
His dignified nature and tolerance around people earned him global admiration and turned him into a true ambassador for Amboseli National Park.
Craig also played a vital role in sustaining the elephant population.
He fathered several calves during his lifetime, ensuring that his strong genetics and calm temperament live on in future generations.
Conservationists have often cited him as an example of how protecting mature bulls contributes to the overall health and stability of elephant populations.
In 2021, Craig’s global stature was formally recognised when he was adopted by East African Breweries Limited (EABL) through the Tusker brand, a partnership that highlighted both his worldwide appeal and the importance of corporate support for wildlife conservation.
KWS attributed Craig’s long and secure life to decades of dedicated protection carried out in close collaboration with conservation partners and the local community.
Continuous monitoring, robust anti-poaching operations, habitat protection, and community stewardship ensured that Craig roamed freely and safely for most of his life.
“His long life was a testament to sustained conservation, strong anti-poaching efforts, and the invaluable partnership between KWS, conservation organisations, and the Amboseli community,” the statement added.
As tributes pour in from across Kenya and beyond, Craig’s legacy stands as powerful proof of what sustained conservation can achieve.
"Though he is gone, his image, offspring, and the lessons drawn from his protection will continue to inspire efforts to safeguard Africa’s wildlife for generations to come," KWS said.
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