By Nyang’au Araka
Amboseli National Park woke up to a heavy silence on Saturday morning.
“Craig, the world-famous super tusker whose vast ivory nearly brushed the earth, died at the age of 54, marking the end of an era not just for Kenya, but for global wildlife conservation,” the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said in a statement.
Born in January 1972 to Cassandra, the formidable matriarch of Amboseli’s CB family, Craig grew into a giant of rare distinction.
He was among the last of Africa’s super tuskers, an elite and vanishing class of bull elephants whose tusks each weigh more than 45 kilograms, according to KWS.
Today, only a handful of such elephants remain across the continent, making Craig a living relic of Africa’s natural heritage.
Yet it was not only the size of his tusks that set him apart.
Craig was known—and deeply loved—for his calm, almost reflective nature.
KWS said that visitors often marvelled at how he seemed aware of the attention he drew, pausing patiently as cameras clicked and videos rolled.
In those moments, Craig became more than an elephant; he became Amboseli’s ambassador to the world.
Over his long life, Craig sired several calves, ensuring that his powerful genes and gentle temperament will endure in future generations.
His survival to such maturity was no accident but the result of decades of unwavering protection by the KWS, working hand in hand with conservation partners and the local community.
Through constant monitoring, anti-poaching patrols, habitat protection and community stewardship, Craig lived freely and safely—proof that conservation can work when commitment is shared.
In 2021, his global appeal was formally recognised when East African Breweries Limited (EABL), through the Tusker brand, adopted Craig, celebrating him as a symbol of strength, heritage and endurance.
As news of his passing spreads, tributes are pouring in from across the world.
Craig leaves behind more than footprints in the Amboseli dust; he leaves a powerful legacy of coexistence, protection and hope.
KWS invited those who encountered him to share their memories—not in mourning alone, but in celebration of a gentle giant who carried Africa’s story with dignity.