Craig, Kenya’s iconic elephant known for his ground-sweeping tusks weighing over 45 kilograms each, and who was adopted in 2021 as the Tusker beer brand’s lead ambassador, has died at 54.

Over the years, Craig had been a towering jumbo in Amboseli National Park in Kajiado County for more than five decades.

Born in January 1972 to the great matriarch Cassandra of the CB family, Craig lived a life that few elephants ever do.

Craig was one of the last remaining super tuskers in Africa, a rare class of bull elephants whose two tusks each weigh more than 45 kilograms, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said in its tribute.

Craig, KWS said, fathered a number of calves, ensuring that his powerful bloodline and gentle character live on across generations.

“Beyond his extraordinary tusks, Craig was deeply loved for his remarkably calm nature. He appeared to understand his place in the world—often pausing patiently as visitors photographed and filmed him. Widely documented and admired globally, he became a true ambassador of Amboseli and a symbol of what successful conservation looks like,” KWS said.

In 2021, Craig was adopted by East African Breweries Limited (EABL) through the Tusker brand, reflecting his worldwide appeal.

Mr Paul Wambi, Assistant Director at Amboseli National Park, told Nation that the iconic animal fell ill two weeks ago and had been under close supervision by veterinary doctors until Saturday morning, when he died.

“Two weeks ago, the animal was diagnosed with acute constipation and other health issues related to old age and was put under treatment. He had been on 24-hour monitoring until Saturday morning, when he died,” said Mr Wambi.

He added: “Craig was deeply loved for his remarkably calm nature. He would pause patiently as visitors photographed and filmed him. Widely documented and admired globally, he became a true ambassador of Amboseli and a symbol of what successful conservation looks like. His death is a big blow to wildlife conservation.”

Mr Wambi said the park’s management and Kenya Wildlife Service officers were exploring the possibility of preserving the body at the National Museums of Kenya.

“We are waiting for directives from KWS headquarters on how the body will be preserved. Currently, wardens are guarding the body, which is still in the park,” he said.

Amboseli Land Owners Conservancy Association (ALOCA) chairperson Samuel Kaanki said Craig’s death was a major blow to wildlife conservation within the Amboseli ecosystem.

“The animal would often be seen near the Kimana gates of Amboseli National Park, gracing the area with his calm presence and welcoming both local and international tourists. At least his generation continues,” said Mr Kaanki.

Tim, who lived in Amboseli National Park and was famous for his huge tusks, gentle nature, and survival of multiple poaching attempts, died from natural causes at the age of 50.

His body was moved to the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi, where it is currently preserved.

Elephants are long-lived mammals, typically surviving 60 to 70 years in the wild, similar to humans. However, lifespans vary significantly depending on the environment, with captive elephants often living much shorter lives—around 40 years—due to health issues such as arthritis, foot problems, and stress from confinement, compared with their free-ranging, socially complex wild counterparts.

Amboseli National Park hosts a significant elephant population, with estimates often cited at between 1,600 and over 1,800 individuals. It is one of Africa’s most studied and densely populated elephant habitats, known for its iconic large-tusked elephants and long-term research by organisations such as the Amboseli Trust for Elephants.