Kenya Wildlife Service suffered a major blow early Saturday, January 3, when one of the continent's last remaining super tuskers passed away.
Craig, the world-famous elephant known for his massive, ground-sweeping tusks, died peacefully at 54 in Amboseli National Park, Kenya.
The gentle giant was born in January 1972 to Cassandra, a great matriarch of the CB family.
He belonged to an extremely rare class of bull elephants whose tusks each weigh over 45 kilograms.
Fewer than a handful of these majestic creatures remain on the planet today.
His calm, patient demeanor made him beloved worldwide.
Craig seemed to understand his celebrity status, often pausing gracefully as tourists and filmmakers captured his magnificence.
"Craig was one of the last remaining super tuskers in Africa - a rare class of bull elephants whose two tusks weigh over 45 kilograms (100 lbs) each," stated Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
The iconic bull fathered numerous calves during his lifetime, ensuring his powerful genes and gentle character continue through future generations.
In 2021, East African Breweries Limited (EABL) adopted Craig through the Tusker brand, cementing his status as a global conservation ambassador.
His remarkable longevity resulted from decades of protection by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) working alongside conservation partners and local communities.
"His long life and survival to such maturity were made possible through decades of dedicated protection by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), working in close collaboration with conservation partners and the local community," officials noted.
KWS highlighted that continuous anti-poaching patrols, habitat protection, and community stewardship programs kept Craig safe throughout his life.
Elephants in the wild typically live 60-70 years, significantly longer than their captive counterparts who often survive only 40 years or less.
Craig's death marks the end of an era for Amboseli and serves as a poignant reminder of what successful wildlife conservation can achieve.
