Conservation icon Craig: Kenya seeks to bring back to life deceased elephant's glory

The taxidermy of Craig, Kenya's beloved super tusker elephant that died early this month has started, the country’s wildlife agency said.

Craig died at the age of 54 of natural causes at Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya near the Tanzanian border where it was a big draw to tourists and conservationists.

It symbolised Kenya's conservation efforts and was in a rare class of less than a handful super tuskers in Africa with tusks that weighed over 45 kilograms each.

The taxidermy preservation process is aimed at conserving the bull elephant's physical form for scientific and public exhibition purposes, the Kenya Wildlife Service said.

Lifelike mount

Its skin and physical features will be restored to "create a lifelike mount that will allow future generations to experience and learn from this iconic elephant," the wildlife body said in a statement.

Once completed, Craig’s taxidermy mount will be opened for public viewing, education and conservation awareness.

Craig was a big draw to tourists and conservationists working to protect elephants from poachers and other threats. He fathered numerous calves, ensuring the continuation of his genetic lineage across generations, KWS said.

‘Legacy endures’

“Through taxidermy preservation, we are ensuring that his legacy endures beyond his lifetime, offering future generations a tangible connection to Kenya’s rich wildlife heritage,” the statement said.

Kenya’s national parks and reserves are home to a variety of wildlife species and attract millions of visitors annually, making the country a tourism hotspot.

The elephant population has grown from 36,280 in 2021 to 42,072 in 2025, the latest official figures show.