In memoriam - Death Of A Tsavo Legend

[RIGBY]

Legendary jumbo elephant from the Tsavo region named Craig passed away from natural causes (a twisted gut) on January 2nd at the age of 54.

Craig’s tusks are estimated to be 140lbs each. Fortunately, he fathered a lot of offspring during his life.

There are not many bull elephants this size and age in the wild any longer, and Craig’s long life was a credit to the success of the anti-poaching efforts undertaken.

 

[Russ16]

I assume those tusks will wind up in a museum display. Any idea where?

 

[RIGBY]

I haven’t heard, but I can look into it and report back.

 

[Arctic97]

Thanks for sharing this. Makes me wonder if I don't have pics, or super 8mm movie film, of him as a youngster from a couple of days in Tsavo back in 1980. RIP Craig.

 

[baxterb]

I assume those tusks will wind up in a museum display. Any idea where?

Probably next to Ahmeds.

Craig was a true icon in 2025. His recent digestive issues indicated his demise was close. People really need to read and understand Big Life's statement. It looks like Craig simply outlived his teeth and could no longer process food effectively.

I am sure Richard Bohnam's heart is heavy today as I don't think anyone knew him better.

 

[RIGBY]

Craig’s tusks weighed 143lbs and 128lbs!

 

[PARA45]

Beautiful elephant. Thank you for sharing. If you have more pictures please post them.

 

[Osama Mahdi]

I assume those tusks will wind up in a museum display. Any idea where?

I saw in a FB page that the Kenya park workers collected them and they will be preserved.

 

[RIGBY]

Beautiful elephant. Thank you for sharing. If you have more pictures please post them.

You’re very welcome! I will continue to share them as they are shared with me.

 

[Newboomer]

You’re very welcome! I will continue to share them as they are shared with me.

Hopefully some of his offspring will become as large as he was.

 

[Captain Munro]

What an amazing animal!

 

[Jason Miller]

He lived in Amboselli , not Tsavo.. At lease that’s where I have had the pleasure of seeing him a few times

 

[RIGBY]

He lived in Amboselli , not Tsavo.. At lease that’s where I have had the pleasure of seeing him a few times

The information I received about Craig was from Richard Bonham, who kept an eye on him in the Tsavo ecosystem.

Perhaps he was in the area you saw him earlier.

Amboseli is apparently very close to Tsavo West forming a natural safari circuit.

 

[baxterb]

@RIGBY thanks for the follow up on the tusks. Truly amazing. I imagine at one time or another he must have broken the tip off the left tusk.

given he did not really stray too far from home his genes are all around that area.

I would love to see his teeth to see just how worn they were. Must have been flat as a stone.

 

[RIGBY]

@RIGBY thanks for the follow up on the tusks. Truly amazing. I imagine at one time or another he must have broken the tip off the left tusk.

given he did not really stray too far from home his genes are all around that area.

I would love to see his teeth to see just how work they were. Must have been flat as a stone.

You are very welcome! I am still seeing some discussions about him so I will report back in the other interesting facts I come across.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Poor bugger. I have seen horses go down with cholic. Miserable death. Hopefully someone was able to help him over the edge.

 

[JimP]

Poor bugger. I have seen horses go down with cholic. Miserable death. Hopefully someone was able to help him over the edge.

There was no intervention when he passed, he just laid down from the video that was posted.

 

[Anbessa Gedai]

I stayed at TAWI Lodge just outside of Amboseli National Park in November 2021. The lodge created a water hole just west and beyond the swimming pool in the first photo, and there was a steady stream of visitors . . . impala, zebra, yellow baboon, vervet monkey, guinea fowl, francolin, along with various other birds and notably, this big bull elephant . . needless to say, all the others gave way when he wanted to bathe! I didn't get a clear front-on photo which might have confirmed that he was or was not the bull known as "Craig", so I can't be sure. None-the-less he carried some spectacular ivory.

 

[rwp315]

Probably next to Ahmeds.

Craig was a true icon in 2025. His recent digestive issues indicated his demise was close. People really need to read and understand Big Life's statement. It looks like Craig simply outlived his teeth and could no longer process food effectively.

I am sure Richard Bohnam's heart is heavy today as I don't think anyone knew him better.

What or who is Big Life’s statement?

 

[baxterb]

What or who is Big Life’s statement?

Big Life is run by Richard Bohham, who may have had as much time around Craig as anyone. Big Life works to mitigate human/wildlife conflict on the border.

The statement is below. The reason I say people (and I don't really mean those who know much about elephant) need to read and understand is that so many still live the delusion that elephant live to be 100 and have no idea about the concept of outliving their teeth.

Big Life Foundation - RIP CRAIG, AMBOSELI’S LARGEST TUSKER

Craig, Amboseli’s largest tusker, has died at age 54 of suspected natural causes. A tribute to an iconic elephant protected by rangers and communities.

biglife.org