Tusker Craig, the Gentle Giant of Amboseli

"Hey, Dev, did you have the chance to meet Craig when you were in Amboseli?" Vijay, my friend who shares my passion for photography, inquired.

I gave him a puzzled look. "Craig? Who's Craig?"

Vijay leaned in, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Craig happens to be one of the few super tuskers left in the world. He's around 51 years old. He's the cousin of the big tusker, Tim, who passed away last year. At 51, Craig is in his twilight years, and I fear we might not have much time to capture this legendary elephant with our cameras."

And so our trip began, in March 2023, to meet Craig in the heart of Amboseli, Kenya.

Allow me to share a glimpse of Craig's history. Born in 1972, Craig has emerged as a subject of fascination and documentation on a global scale. As the owner of the largest tusks in Africa, Craig is the most photographed elephant in the world, and his life has been extensively researched.

For an elephant to ascend to the esteemed rank of a super tusker, its tusks must surpass 45 kg (100 lb) each. Craig, however, has outdone this benchmark, with his tusks estimated to tip the scales beyond 50 kg. In a world where such majestic beings are becoming increasingly rare, he stands among the dwindling population of approximately just 20 super tuskers.

Time has etched its mark on him. The wear and tear due to age is evident in its teeth patterns, making mastication an increasingly challenging endeavour for Craig as the years roll on. This casts a looming shadow on his future. Further accentuating this sombre reality are his sunken temples, a visible testimony to advancing age.

Coming back to our trip: Vijay, known for his meticulous approach to planning wildlife expeditions in Kenya, had arranged for us to stay at the Kibo Safari Camp, located within Craig's territory. Our guide, Simon Kararei, left no stone unturned in coordinating with the Masai warriors (they protect Craig 24/7 from poachers). Their assistance was invaluable in alerting us whenever they spotted Craig in the expansive open areas, considering that Craig prefers dense bush surroundings.

On a sun-drenched morning in the African savanna (grassy woodland), as we were engrossed in shooting a Kori bustard, an unexpected phone call distracted our focus. It was the news we had been waiting for – Craig was moving towards an open expanse. Our guide swiftly steered the jeep in that direction.

Soon, we reached the designated area, where a Masai warrior awaited us. With his guidance, we positioned ourselves at a vantage location to encounter Craig. Not long after, Craig appeared, a colossal figure with his magnificent tusks, a sight that words could scarcely capture.

Being my first encounter with Craig, I was awestruck by his sheer enormity. The Masai warrior shared insights about his character, revealing that Craig was a gentle soul unlike the typical demeanour of other elephants. Reassured, we moved closer, ready to capture him with our cameras.

As luck would have it, Craig's footsteps led him nearer to us. We seized the opportunity to immortalize the meeting, capturing him from various angles, each shot a testament to his majesty. The air was filled with the soft clicks of our camera shutters. It was a surreal moment as he walked past us. After sometime Craig retreated into the lush bushes.

Meeting Craig in his home was an invigorating and unforgettable experience.