World Elephant Day

 Today is World Elephant Day.

In honor of that,  I bring you a story about Craig, a magnificent super tusker that lives in and around Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya.  This is from 2022.

It's nearing sundown as we drive along the dirt road that leads to the park exit.   Our safari through the park has been sad as the carcasses of animals that died in this severe drought are scattered all over.  The hyenas and vultures are having a feast, though.

Suddenly, way off in the distant brush and trees, a solitary elephant appears.   

Its rump is all we can see, and occasionally a bit of tusk that hints of the elephant we are hoping to find.

At long last, it turns sideways, and we are sure.   It's Craig, one of the last of the super tuskers.   We need every bit of our long lenses to photograph him, and even then, he appears small, so cropping will become a big factor when we edit our photos from RAW format to JPEGs.

The light is turning golden as the sun sinks lower.  Hundreds of photos later, Craig ambles off into the sunset.

From out of the golden sunlight comes a small herd of elephants, kicking up dust from the sere land.

The next morning, word comes that Craig has wandered out of the park, and we rush to the sighting.   There, with his 24-hour guard that keeps him safe from poaching, is the iconic super tusker.

There are a number of safari vehicles, their passengers, and guides here to see this famous elephant.  I, myself, am in utter awe of this magnificent creature.

We get as low to the ground as possible, the preferred perspective in which to photograph him.   He is in his 50s, very old age for an elephant.

Craig doesn't seem to care a bit about his fan club.  The drivers and guides make sure we mind our "elephant manners."  They tell us where we can stand, make sure we don't cross in front of him.   We can photograph him face-on from a distance only, but we are careful not to impede his movements in any way.

Craig is in survival mode in this drought-stricken land.  I watch with an aching heart as he selects dry sticks to put in his mouth and chews carefully.

At length, we move off and the guides set out our breakfast on the hoods of the Toyotas.  As we tuck in, Craig moves into our sight and we have breakfast with Craig!

Craig is in the line of vegetation to the right of the vehicle.

After breakfast, we once again join Craig as he ables through the area.   We are still out of the park and are not restricted to the roads.   We can follow Craig.

I can get low to photograph Craig, but I need help getting back up.

The guides intuit the direction Craig will head next and move us into position.

My friends Marg and Shelly, with their driver/guide, photograph the approaching elephant.

I am back in the vehicle as the elephant approaches so closely I could reach out and touch him!

After he passes, I lean out with my little Cool Pix camera and film my favorite video:

https://youtu.be/W-qupxMVO08

For a light-hearted look at Craig, follow this link:

https://gullible-gulliblestravels.blogspot.com/2022/12/the-2022-africa-journals-chapter-7-part.html

The following is from Google about Craig:

AI Overview

 

 

Craig is a famous, large male African elephant, known as a "super tusker," residing in Amboseli National Park in Kenya. He is one of the last elephants with exceptionally long tusks, which can weigh over 100 pounds each. Craig plays a vital role in the elephant ecosystem, guiding younger males and maintaining social order within his bachelor herd. 

 

Here's more about Craig:

•   Age and Appearance: 
Craig is estimated to be over 50 years old and is one of the largest and oldest elephants in Amboseli. His age is evident in the wear and tear on his teeth and sunken temples. 






•   Super Tusker Status: 
Craig is a "super tusker," a term used for elephants with tusks that reach impressive lengths and weights. These elephants are rare and highly sought after by poachers. 






•   Importance to the Ecosystem: 
Craig is a crucial part of the Amboseli elephant population. He plays a role in breeding and genetic diversity. He also helps maintain social structure within his bachelor herd, keeping younger elephants in check. 






•   Conservation Efforts: 
Organizations like Big Life Foundation and International Fund for Animal Welfare | IFAW work to protect Craig and other elephants by securing their habitats and corridors, particularly the Kitenden Corridorwhere Craig roams. 






•   Threats: 
Poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and habitat loss pose significant threats to Craig and other elephants in Amboseli. 






•   Iconic Status: 
Craig is an iconic figure in Amboseli, often pictured with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. 






•   Recent Sightings: 
In May 2025, Craig was seen in musth, indicating he is still an active and important breeding male. 






•   Photographic Opportunities: 
Craig's presence attracts wildlife photographers who seek to capture images of this magnificent animal, often with the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop.