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Iconic Amboseli 'Super Tusker' Craig Dies at 54

Preliminary examinations point to severe tooth wear as the likely cause, with a post-mortem pending.

Overview

  • Big Life rangers reported repeated collapses overnight in the Olgulului community area before he could no longer rise at 03:32.
  • The Amboseli Trust for Elephants, Big Life Foundation and Kenya Wildlife Service confirmed the death and described it as natural.
  • Conservation teams noted poorly chewed plant material in his dung, indicating he was no longer able to grind food effectively.
  • His passing reduces the already small cohort of great tuskers, with nine known super tuskers remaining in the Amboseli ecosystem.
  • Monitored for decades, Craig survived poaching pressures, drew tourists, was adopted in 2021 by East African Breweries’ Tusker brand, and is believed to have sired many calves.