Craig the Elephant: Legacy of a Tusker

Amboseli in Kenya is one of those places that stays with you. The open plains, the golden light, and the soft silhouette of Kilimanjaro in the distance create a landscape that feels timeless. But for me, it’s not just the place that leaves a mark. It’s the elephants, especially Craig, who now features prominently in my collection of elephant prints.

• Craig was born in 1972.

• Craig is a super tusker

• Craig lives in Amboseli National Park in Kenya.

• Craig is famous because of his incredible tusks and his gentle nature.

• He is very popular amongst wildlife and fine art photographers.

• No widely known public story explains his name.
  

Craig is one of Africa’s last great tuskers. Elephants like him, with tusks that nearly brush the ground, are incredibly rare. Fewer than 25 are thought to remain across the continent. Craig is perhaps the most well-known of them all, not only because of his size but because of the calm, almost ancient presence he carries. Watching him cross the plains feels like stepping into another era.

Craig the magnificent elephant in his natural habitat

Close and personal with Craig the mighty elephant

Born in 1972, Craig is now in his early fifties. That’s a long life for any elephant, especially one who has lived through the height of the ivory crisis. Many with tusks like his didn’t make it. But Craig did. He’s endured droughts, conflict, and increasing pressure from a changing world. Still, no elephant lives forever. And each time I see him, I can’t help but wonder if it might be the last.

I’ve photographed Craig several times over the years. Each encounter has felt different, but all of them unforgettable. He tends to appear without warning, moving with that slow, deliberate pace, his immense tusks swaying gently as he walks. You don’t need to be close to feel his presence. It just settles over you.

Close up of the super tusker Craig

Craig the famous elephant and his habitat

Amboseli is Craig’s home, but it’s changing. Elephants like him now have to navigate farmland, fences, and increasingly busy landscapes. The wild space he relies on is under constant pressure. That’s why moments with him feel so significant now. Encounters like these are becoming rare.

If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing a super tusker in the wild, I’d be happy to help arrange a private trip to Amboseli to experience that connection for yourself. And if travel isn’t possible right now, I do have a few prints of Craig available. They serve as a quiet tribute to his presence and a reminder of what still exists out there, even if only for a little while longer.

If this speaks to you, feel free to get in touch. I’m always happy to share more about my favourite Craig.