Big Tusker Tim
The Big Tusker Tim is dead. I am shocked and heartbroken. On January 7th, I flew to Amboseli following my dream of seeing the Big Tuskers of Amboseli, Kenya’s largest elephants. Images of Tim, a massive elephant of 6+ tons, a global celebrity and icon for wildlife protection, fueled my imagination. I was the only passenger on the 12-seater flight from Nairobi to Amboseli. When we touched down on the airstrip, Julius Pilipili Memusi, my guide and driver, was waiting for me. Julius hefted my bag into the vehicle and casually said, “I understand you are a keen photographer. Would you like to see Tim?” I couldn’t believe my ears. “Yes!" I replied enthusiastically, as I scrambled to unpack my camera. In 10 minutes, we drove off the track into the bush towards a huge acacia tree. There, standing in the shade, with 4 of his giant friends around him, stood Tim, his huge ears rhythmically fanning his body. I was breathless, stunned by my good fortune and awed by his presence. What were the chances that I would arrive in a small corner of the Amboseli region and find Tim in minutes?
The next three days were extraordinary—the impact of my encounters with the elephants of Amboseli still reverberates in my heart and soul. Julius told me he was concerned because he had not seen any elephants in the park the day before I arrived. He knew I was coming expressly to see the elephants. Not only did I see Tim and his men’s group every day, I also encountered 100s of other elephants in the park. Those are stories and images for another day. This past week I learned that Tim died Tuesday, February 4th. I am shocked and broken hearted. Yes, he was an older elephant of 50 years, but he seemed healthy and strong when I met him. He had a presence that radiated leadership and quiet strength. Despite his size, he was peaceful, not aggressive.
We followed Tim and the other bulls as they grazed. At one point, Julius angled the truck so I was face to face with Tim as he stuffed huge trunkfuls of grass into his mouth. We were very close …. Tim lifted his head, looked at me, and rumbled a deep belly rumble. The message was clear, get out of my way, which we did! I feel blessed to have had that exchange with him.
I saw Tim and his buddies every day I was at Amboseli. Craig, Tim’s doppelganger, turned up at the lodge and had a mud bath in front of me as I ate my lunch on Day 2.
The last game drive on my final day Julius asked, “Shall we go and see if we can find Tim?" Of course, I said “Yes!” We drove off road into the bush and met up with a couple of other wild bulls, but we did not find Tim until the sun was beginning to set. Julius parked and set up a table for a sundowner, the African cocktail hour. As the sun set, we enjoyed a drink with Tim and 4 of his big friends. I toasted Tim and the other Big Tuskers. My heart was full of gratitude, awe, and peace. I will never forget that moment.
In Sheldrick Trust’s tribute to Tim, @sheldricktrust wrote, “Tim was more than an elephant; he was a beacon for his species….. To honour him, we must continue to work hard to protect those he left behind. This includes his ever present companions, who it appears tried valiantly to save him when he finally fell, and who must today be so heartsore from losing their irreplaceable friend.”
RIP Tim, I will never forget you. I will continue to post images of Tim @kathykarnphotography, on my Facebook page, and here on this website. Stay tuned for more stories about the elephants of Amboseli.
Buy a Big Tusker Tim Print to Support the Big Life Foundation
As a tribute to Big Tusker Tim, I'm selling prints of Tim that I took and donating 25% of all sales to the Big Life Foundation. Protecting over 1.6 million acres of wilderness in the Amboseli-Tsavo-Kilimanjaro ecosystem of East Africa, Big Life partners with local communities to protect nature for the benefit of all. Since its inception, Big Life has expanded to employ hundreds of local Maasai rangers—with more than 30 permanent outposts and tent-based field units, 14 patrol vehicles, 2 tracker dogs, and 2 planes for aerial surveillance to prevent poaching.