Late Amboseli super tusker Craig to be preserved through taxidermy

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has begun the taxidermy preservation process for Craig, the iconic elephant at Amboseli National Park who recently passed away at the age of 54. 

In a statement released on Tuesday, KWS explained that the process is aimed at allowing future generations to experience and learn from the iconic elephant. 

Born in January 1972 to the great matriarch Cassandra of the CB family, Craig was one of the last remaining super tuskers in Africa, a rare class of elephants whose tusks weigh over 45 kilograms (100 lbs) each.

Through the taxidermy process, KWS will preserve Craig's body by mounting its skin over a sculpted form to create a lifelike display for study or exhibition. 

Once completed, Craig’s taxidermy mount will be housed at a designated facility for public viewing, education, and conservation awareness. 

"With fewer than a handful remaining today, Craig stood as a living symbol of Africa’s natural heritage and a powerful testament to decades of successful wildlife conservation," read part of the statement. 

During his life, Craig became a global ambassador for Amboseli National Park, with tourists visiting the scene to witness the super tusker. 

“Craig’s life exemplified the success of collective conservation efforts. 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,” said KWS Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga.