For an elephant, dying of natural causes and old age is something of a rare feat - due to poaching for ivory and habitat loss, elephant populations have been plummeting for the past 25 years.
But Craig, a bull from Amboseli, Kenya, achieved this rare distinction. Not only did he live to be 54 years old, becoming a father and a popular star in human photography, but he was able to die peacefully. This was in large part
thanks to the watchful guardianship of the Kenyan Wildlife Service, who ensured his safety.Sign the petition to ask for continued funding for the conservation programs that helped Craig live this long! We must make sure that more elephants can have a life like Craig's.It's unlikely that Craig would have lived this peaceful, natural life if it hadn't been for the efforts of both
the Kenyan authorities and community leaders who worked together to safeguard him. Craig wasn't just an elephant -
he was also one of the very last living "Super Tuskers." These elephants are known for their massive, sweeping tusks. They have nearly died out, due to poachers specifically targeting them in order to cut out their ivory. To protect Craig's giant tusks from ever reaching the hands of poachers after his death, the Kenyan Wildlife Service
removed them and will keep them safely stored away.
Overall, the rate of elephant populations' decline has been staggering. Around 27 years ago, in 1979, around 1.3 million elephants lived on the African continent. Now, their numbers are around 400,000 individuals - representing
around a 70% loss. Various species of African elephants are now listed as endangered or critically endangered. And that's not even factoring in the specific death rates for Super Tuskers.
Luckily, in some places, elephants are starting to make a comeback, albeit slowly. In Kenya, the elephant population grew by around 6,000 individuals in the past 4 years. That's a conservation story we need to celebrate and help promote!
The Kenyan government must continue to prioritize anti-poaching and pro-conservation projects in Craig's honor! They have created a success story, and we must ask them to please continue to commit to this beautiful work. Sign the petition!