Kenya is mourning the death of Craig, one of Africa’s last remaining super tuskers, who died on Saturday morning in the Amboseli National Park ecosystem. According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Craig was 54 years old at the time of his death.
Craig, who was born in 1972, was the son of the great matriarch Cassandra, one of the most studied elephant matriarchs in Amboseli. Over the decades, he grew into a global conservation icon, admired for his massive, symmetrical tusks and calm temperament.
KWS estimates that each of Craig’s tusks weighed about 45 kilograms, placing him among the rare category of elephants known as super tuskers. KWS has previously described Craig as one of the last remaining super tuskers in Africa, a lineage that has nearly disappeared due to poaching and habitat loss.
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In 2021, Craig’s global stature was recognized when he was adopted as Tusker beer’s lead brand ambassador by East African Breweries Limited (EABL), a move that linked wildlife conservation with corporate advocacy.
Speaking to the press, Assistant Director of Amboseli National Park Paul Wambi said Craig fell ill two weeks ago and had been under close supervision by veterinary doctors.
“Craig succumbed on Saturday morning after battling acute constipation and health complications related to old age,” Wambi said.
He added that Craig had been closely monitored throughout his illness, reflecting the high conservation value placed on the elephant by wildlife authorities.
According to KWS, Craig was known for his calm nature, a trait that made him widely admired by researchers, photographers, conservationists and tourists. He has been documented globally, becoming one of the most recognizable elephants associated with the Amboseli landscape.
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Following his death, Wambi said KWS is exploring the possibility of preserving Craig’s body at the National Museums of Kenya, a move that would allow future generations to learn about one of the country’s most iconic elephants.
Craig’s death marks a significant loss for Kenya’s wildlife heritage and highlights the fragile future of Africa’s remaining super tuskers, whose survival depends heavily on sustained conservation efforts.
By Benedict Aoya
