The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has announced plans to preserve Craig, the world-renowned Amboseli National Park super tusker, through a professional taxidermy process following his death earlier in the month at the age of 54.
In a statement issued, KWS said the taxidermy preservation process is already underway, noting that the initiative aims to conserve Craig’s physical form for long-term educational, scientific, and public exhibition purposes.
"In recognition of Craig’s extraordinary ecological, scientific, and cultural significance, KWS has initiated a professional taxidermy preservation process, aimed at carefully conserving his physical form for long-term educational, scientific, and public exhibition purposes."
"This process involves the meticulous preservation of Craig’s skin and physical features to create a lifelike mount that will allow future generations to experience and learn from this iconic elephant."
Craig was among the last remaining super tuskers in Africa, a rare category of elephants whose tusks weigh more than 45 kilograms (100 pounds) each, which the reports indicate is fewer than a handful of such elephants remain on the continent today.
KWS described Craig as a living symbol of Africa’s natural heritage and a testament to decades of sustained wildlife conservation efforts in Kenya. During his lifetime, Craig fathered numerous calves, helping secure the continuation of his genetic lineage across generations.
"Craig fathered numerous calves, ensuring the continuation of his genetic lineage across generations. Equally admired for his calm and dignified nature, Craig became a global ambassador for Amboseli National Park, embodying the success of sustained protection, monitoring, and community collaboration led by KWS and its conservation partners," KWS noted.
The statement depicts Craig as one of the global ambassadors for Amboseli National Park, drawing international attention to the park and symbolizing the success of long-term protection and community collaboration spearheaded by KWS and its conservation partners.
Explaining the decision to preserve the iconic elephant, KWS Director General Erustus Kanga said the initiative would allow future generations to continue learning from Craig’s legacy.
“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,” Kanga explained.
According to KWS, the taxidermy process involves the meticulous preservation of Craig’s skin and physical features to create a lifelike mount that will be used for education, scientific research, and conservation awareness.
"Once completed, Craig’s taxidermy mount will be housed at a designated facility for public viewing, education, and conservation awareness. KWS will communicate further details in due course regarding the location and timeline for public access," KWS said.
The statement further notes, "Once completed, the preserved mount will be housed at a designated facility accessible to the public. KWS said it will provide further details on the location and timeline for public viewing in due course."
In the statement, KWS has also invited members of the public to honor Craig’s memory by reflecting on the importance of safeguarding Kenya’s wildlife and natural heritage for future generations.
