Craig’s Legacy:
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 a flood of disturbing, misleading, fake, and even AI-generated images circulating online.
At Saving The Survivors, we believe that Craig’s legacy deserves accuracy, dignity, and respect. We strongly urge the public to rely only on information and imagery shared by recognised, professional conservation organisations, such as Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Big Life Foundation, and ourselves. These organisations work on the ground, follow strict legal and ethical protocols, and only release material that is verified and genuine.
This page aims to explain, clearly and factually, what happens to an elephant’s body and tusks after death, and to place Craig’s remarkable ivory into proper historical and biological context.
What Happens to an Elephant’s Tusks After Death?
After an elephant dies, its tusks are removed carefully and methodically for documentation, security, and conservation purposes. This is a highly skilled process, particularly in the case of a great tusker like Craig.
The tusk does not simply sit in the visible portion of the face. The gum and surrounding tissue must first be carefully cut away to expose the base of the tusk, which lies deep within the skull. In large tuskers such as Craig, Tim, and other heavy ivory carriers, as much as one-quarter to one-third of the tusk is hidden below the lipline, unseen during the elephant’s lifetime.
Using hand tools only, the tusk is gently loosened and worked free along its natural curve. Extreme care is taken to prevent cracking or damaging the ivory. Once removed, each tusk is measured, weighed, photographed, and officially recorded, before being stored or transferred in accordance with the legal and conservation protocols of the country involved.
In situations where an elephant dies and the carcass is only discovered two to three weeks later, particularly in hot and humid environments, natural decay can occur where the tusk attaches to the skull. In such cases, the tusks may sometimes be gently pulled free without the use of sharp tools, such as knives or axes. This is a natural process and should not be misinterpreted as negligence or wrongdoing.
What Happened to Craig’s Body and Tusks?
Craig’s body and tusks were removed from the conservation area and transported to Nairobi, where they will be professionally treated and preserved for possible museum display. Given Craig’s status as one of the last great tuskers—and his significance to elephant conservation worldwide—this decision reflects the recognition of his importance as a national and global conservation icon.
Craig was photographed by thousands of people over his lifetime and became a symbol of what long-term protection can achieve. Preserving his remains ensures that future generations can continue to learn from and be inspired by his story.
Craig’s Ivory in Historical Context
The largest tusks ever recorded came from an elephant bull that once walked the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. That bull may very well have been an ancestor of Craig, as tusk size is strongly genetically driven.
Those world-record tusks weighed an astonishing 106 kg and 102 kg, measured 3.1 metres in length, and had lipline circumferences of 62 cm and 60 cm. What gives ivory its weight is not only length, but especially the thickness at the lipline—the point where the tusk emerges from the skin.
Craig’s tusks measured 2 metres in length each, with a lipline circumference of 55 cm. They weighed 57 kg and 65 kg respectively, with the left tusk tapering more toward the tip and therefore being slightly lighter than the right.
In modern terms, a 55 cm lipline circumference is still exceptional. At a time when large-tusked elephants are exceedingly rare, Craig remained an impressive great tusker until the end of his life.
Honouring Craig Through Truth and Education
This story is accompanied by a series of images showing Craig, his tusks, the world-record tusks, and Dr. Johan Marais demonstrating where the lipline is on a tusk, to help provide visual clarity and education.
Craig’s legacy is not only about the size of his tusks, but about what he represents: survival, genetics preserved through protection, and the proof that conservation works when given time, commitment, and respect.
By sharing accurate information and relying on trusted sources, we honour Craig in the way he deserves—and help protect the future of the elephants who will follow in his footsteps.
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