Craig, the beer ambassador elephant, dies at the age of 54

A Kenyan elephant, believed to be one of the largest tusked males in Africa, has died of old age.

The pachyderm, affectionately known as Craig, died of natural causes on Saturday morning in Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya, conservationists confirmed.

“Craig had just turned 54. He led a long life and undoubtedly fathered many calves,” the Amboseli Trust for Elephants said in its farewell message.

Famous for its long tusks, the elephant Craig was a major attraction at the park near the Tanzanian border. In 2021, he was named an ambassador for the popular Kenyan lager brand Tusker – a name also used for adult male elephants with tusks.

The Kenya Wildlife Service has described Craig as an “icon” of successful conservation.

“Craig was one of Africa’s last super-defenders – a rare class of male elephant whose two tusks weigh more than 45 kg (100 lb) each. Fewer than a handful remain today, making them a living monument to Africa’s natural heritage.”

The wildlife agency also said “Craig was deeply loved for [his] a remarkably calm nature”“often stopping patiently while visitors photographed and filmed him.”

“Thanks to his many protectors, he died peacefully of natural causes.”

More than two million tourists visited Kenya last year, many in search of wildlife in the country’s world-famous national parks.

The tourism sector in Kenya represents 10% of the national GDPofficials say.