Craig was more than a super tusker. He was an icon.
For several years, he was believed to be the largest super tusker still roaming the Earth; a living monument of strength, age, and resilience. In Amboseli, nothing compared to him. Every encounter carried a quiet gravity, something deeply grounding and almost spiritual, and each moment spent with Craig left an indelible impression on me.
Super tusker elephants are characterized by the extraordinary size of their tusks, which weigh a combined total of 200 pounds or more. At one point, it was estimated that fewer than 24 remained on the planet. Craig stood among the last of these giants, a reminder of what once existed in far greater numbers, and what has nearly been lost.
When I began to understand how precarious the future of these elephants had become within the delicate ecosystems of East Africa, I felt compelled to tell their story. That pursuit became Colossal Shadows, my limited edition print series honoring the world’s last great tuskers and their role in our natural world.
Images from the Series, Colossal Shadows: Super Tuskers of East Africa
The near disappearance of super tuskers is a direct result of human actions. Decades of hunting and poaching forced the survivors to retreat deep into the African bush, relying on instinct, intelligence, and adaptability to endure. That Craig lived as long as he did is not only a testament to his resilience but also to the tireless efforts of the conservationists who worked to protect him.
I began photographing Craig in 2019, and over time, I spent more hours with him than with any other single animal I’ve photographed. Those years included some of my most meaningful moments in Kenya. Through patience and respect, and with the guidance of those who knew him best, I was fortunate to witness Craig not as an icon, but as an individual, calm, commanding, and unmistakably powerful.
Colossal Shadows also documents Craig’s counterpart, Tim, who passed away in 2020 at age 50. Together, they represented the last echoes of an era of giants shaped by survival.
Earlier this month, at approximately 54 years old, Craig passed away due to natural causes. His long life speaks to the power of protection and to the tireless efforts of the Kenyan Wildlife Service and the organizations on the ground who made his safety their life’s work. Their dedication allowed Craig to live freely in his homeland far longer than most ever imagined possible.
During my initial journey to photograph Craig and Tim, I created a short film documenting the experience of tracking them alongside a local Maasai warrior, David, and our guide, Juma. Juma had spent countless hours with Craig over the years, and through patience and respect, he helped us slowly earn what felt like trust.
You can watch the short film here. I hope it offers a sense of Craig’s power, dignity, and enduring legacy—a reminder of what still exists, and what deserves our protection.
Craig’s extraordinary life was made possible by the tireless efforts of conservation organizations working to protect elephants in East Africa. If you’re moved by his story and want to support the future of elephants like him, consider learning more about the work of:
Their dedication continues to ensure that giants like Craig are given the chance to live, roam, and be remembered.