Category: Elephant

Protecting Africa’s Gentle Giants Today, on World Elephant Day, Saving the Survivors celebrates one of the most extraordinary and iconic animals to walk our planet — the elephant. Elephants have always held a very special place in the work of Saving the Survivors. Over the years, our veterinary teams have worked with countless elephants across … Continued

At Saving the Survivors, no two wildlife interventions are ever the same. Recently, our veterinary team was called to assist a White Rhino cow suffering from a severely damaged horn. While injuries to horns can appear straightforward at first glance, they often require careful assessment and treatment to prevent complications and ensure the animal’s long-term … Continued

A Story of Strength, Survival, and Hope Eight years ago, a magnificent adult bull elephant suffered a fracture to his left front limb — an injury that could easily have marked the end of his journey. But this elephant endured. Recently, our Founder and Head Veterinarian, Dr Johan Marais, returned with the Saving the Survivors … Continued

Great Tuskers and the Weight of History Following the immense global interest in tuskers after the passing of Craig earlier this month, many questions have arisen about these extraordinary elephants and the immense ivory they carried. To help place Craig—and great tuskers like him—into historical context, we share the following insights, many drawn from Dr. … Continued

Understanding What Happens After the Passing of a Great Tusker Since the passing of Craig, the legendary Great Tusker of Amboseli, there has been immense global interest—not only in his life, but also in what happens after the death of an elephant of such iconic status. Alongside many thoughtful questions, there has unfortunately also been … Continued

Answering Your Questions About Craig and Africa’s Great Tuskers Following our recent tribute to Craig, the legendary Great Tusker of Amboseli, we have received an outpouring of messages and thoughtful questions from supporters around the world. As the founder of Saving The Survivors, a world-renowned elephant veterinarian, and the author of several books dedicated to … Continued

Remembering Craig, Amboseli’s Great Tusker It is with deep sadness, but also with profound respect and gratitude, that we mark the passing of Craig, the legendary Great Tusker of Kenya’s Amboseli National Park. Craig died peacefully from natural causes at the age of 54. His carcass was discovered on 3 January 2026. Born in 1972, … Continued

Our dedicated founder and lead veterinarian, Dr. Johan Marais, recently led a life-saving intervention to assist an elephant cow and her calf on a South African reserve. The mission, carried out under challenging conditions with strong winds, showcased the resilience and expertise of our team in protecting wildlife. The cow’s tracking collar, which provides critical … Continued

In honour of World Elephant Day, we’re pleased to share an extraordinary case from the field, featuring one of our most recent and unique patients. Dr. Johan Marais, our founder and lead veterinarian, recently treated an Elephant cow with an angular limb deformity—a rare condition in elephants that is more commonly seen in horses. This … Continued