ELEPHANT TUSKER PHOTOGRAPHY: THE GIANTS OF AMBOSELI
Craig, Amboseli's most famous Super Tusker
CRAIG (1972–2026): AMBOSELI’S LEGENDARY SUPER TUSKER
Two weeks ago, I woke up to the news that Craig, Amboseli’s most famous Super Tusker had died at 54 years old. His death was deeply felt by conservationists, photographers, and elephant lovers worldwide. Like millions of others I was shocked and saddened at the news, but so relieved to hear that he had died of natural causes and that in his last hours, as he was for much of his life, he was protected and supported by the teams of Big Life Africa and the Kenya Wildlife Service.
In the days that followed tributes from conservationists, photographers and elephant lovers poured in across social media. I loved how Big Life articulated his impact-
“Craig had an extraordinary impact on a huge number of people, regardless of whether they saw him in person. People felt a connection with him, beyond simple awe of his magnificent tusks…Craig was truly an ambassador for his species”.
Close-up portrait of Craig, legendary tusker elephant of Amboseli
Photographing Amboseli’s Gentle Giant
I feel incredibly fortunate to have photographed Craig several times, most recently in October 2025. As I’ve written in my blog on Tusker Elephant Photography, Craig wasn’t always easy to photograph. He preferred feeding deep in the bushes, moving slowly amongst his “askaris” of younger bull elephants. My final encounter with him, when he finally stepped into an open area, felt like a gift.
Yet more meaningful than the image itself was spending over an hour watching him feed, strip bark, and knock down trees as I quietly observed drinking coffee and eating my breakfast. Moments like that define why elephant tusker photography in Amboseli is so special.
When paying their tribute to Craig this is how Big Life expressed their love and admiration for Craig which I find deeply moving-
“Craig was so much more than his tusks. Ever the gentle giant, he embodied what it means to be an elephant: enduring, steadfast, patient, gentle, wise and utterly beautiful. He was one for the ages and will go down in history.”
My first image of Craig taken in 2022
CRAIG’S LASTING LEGACY
When I return to Amboseli next year it will be hard to imagine it without Craig as he had so much presence. However, I can only imagine the sense of loss by those who helped document his life and protect him in his later years. The fact that he lived such a long life, though the threat of poaching was ever present, is due to concerted community of support from the Maasai, Kenya Wildlife Service, Big Life Africa, Elephant Voices and Amboseli Trust for Elephants. All worked tirelessly to protect him, not only in life, but his legacy in death.
The fact that Craig will have fathered many calves over his long lifespan, means that his offspring will be future tuskers roaming the Amboseli plains for years to come.
VRONSKY: WHEN TWO TUSKS BECAME ONE
Another unforgettable Amboseli tusker is Vronsky, an elephant I’ve followed closely over the years. I’ve seen him at his worst during the drought in 2023 when I didn’t think he was going to survive and then in February 2025 he was looking fit and healthy, especially after making a full recovery after a leg injury when the KWS gave him a 50:50 chance of survival. Time and time again he’s shown incredible resilience.
Portait of Vronsky in his prime taken in Feb 2025
Vronsky- the resilient warrior
However, yet again he’s having to deal with another setback. My guide Eric (Eric Ole Kalama) told me that in June they noticed a tusker drinking at the water hole in front of camp (Elephant Garden Camp) who was missing his left tusk. When they looked more closely they could see a familiar “V” nick in one of Vronsky’s ears, so called the Kenya Wildlife Service, who confirmed that they had found a tusk but hadn’t known who it belonged to. What was interesting is that the entire tusk was intact and not broken, which would perhaps indicate that Vronsky had lost it through a toothache of some kind.
While this has changed his appearance, it hasn’t diminished his presence. Watching him adapt by using his remaining tusk and trunk to feed was a powerful reminder of an elephant’s intelligence and determination. Vronsky is entering his 50th year this year and losing his tusk may also make him vulnerable especially when competing with other males during musth.
Vronsky now with one tusk
Despite these challenges I have seen at first-hand how resilient Vronsky has been over the years. He has bounced back from many setbacks, and I hope that he will be able to survive this latest setback. Whilst every elephant in Amboseli deserves our respect, I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Vronsky. Below is one of my favourite images of Vronsky captured the first time I saw him. It was taken during the severe drought that took hold in East Africa during 2023 which killed thousands of elephants and other wildlife. Vronsky had grown weak and skinny during this natural disaster. Adding drama to the scene was the storm that was brewing across the Amboseli plains as he made his way to shelter of a nearby acacia tree.
Like Craig, Vronsky is another super tusker that inspires admiration and respect.
Vronsky during the drought in 2023 weathering a coming storm
MICHAEL- RISE OF A NEW SUPER TUSKER
The future of the Giants of Amboseli shines brightly in Michael, a magnificent bull elephant now entering his prime. At 35 years old, Michael’s exceptionally long, symmetrical tusks nearly touch the ground and over the next decade, he is poised to become one of Amboseli’s great super tuskers.
During my October visit, we found Michael in musth. With patience and Eric’s expert guiding, I was rewarded with extraordinary sightings, including a rare alignment with Mount Kilimanjaro as his backdrop, an unforgettable moment in elephant tusker photography.
Super Tusker Michael with Kilimanjaro as backdrop
GIANTS OF AMBOSELI: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
Amboseli is one of the most magical places on Earth to photograph elephants. Each year, I deepen my connection with the tusker elephants that roam these plains, icons like Craig, resilient souls like Vronsky, and rising giants like Michael.
This blog celebrates the past, present, and future of the Giants of Amboseli, and I hope to continue documenting their stories through photography and words for many years to come.
Michael roaming across the Amboseli savannah
Why Amboseli’s Tusker Elephants Matter
The fact that Craig died of natural causes after such a long life was undoubtedly seen as a conservation success.
Protecting these African giants is crucial. They maintain elephant social structure, mentor younger bulls, and serve as cultural icons for conservation, photography, and local communities.
Organizations like Amboseli Trust for Elephants, Big Life Foundation, and Elephant Voices are on the frontlines of protection and I’m proud to support their work through sales of my limited-edition fine art prints. Check out my Print Store to see some of my best elephant photographs.
These tuskers as well as the elephant families that roam the savannah of Amboseli are very special to me and my connection has only got deeper over the last few years. I hope my fine art photography will help to amplify their stories and ensure their survival for generations to come.
If you want to see more of my Elephant images from Amboseli please take a look at this collection AMBOSELI ELEPHANTS.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog . If you are interested in knowing more let me know your questions via this link or connect with me on Instagram — I love hearing from fellow elephant lovers!
Jules
