Craig’s Close Call
When an elephant gets a tummy ache it’s a big deal.
Craig and Mt. Kilimanjaro ©kathykarn
I was alarmed to learn that Craig age 53, one of Africa’s last remaining Big Tuskers, recently had a close call due to an obstructed gut. Good news, he survived, but without the watchful eyes of the Big Life rangers and veterinary help, the story could have had a different ending.
I first met Craig in January 2020 when I flew to southern Kenya in hope of seeing the Big Tuskers of Amboseli. A bull elephant qualifies as a Big Tusker when an individual tusk weighs more than 100 lbs. Craig is a national treasure and a symbol of conservation success. He is easily identified by his massive tusks, height and right-angled tear in his right ear. His whereabouts are closely monitored by local rangers and citizens because his enormous tusks put him at risk for poachers and trophy hunters.
Craig enjoying a mud bath ©kathykarn
Late November one of the local guides alerted the rangers that they’d found Craig down. His breathing was sporadic and he was clearly in a lot of discomfort. The suspected cause was an intestinal obstruction which can happen with a change in diet due to the onset of seasonal rains. The condition is life threatening. This is what happened to Big Tusker Tim in 2020 shortly after my unforgettable encounter with these elephants.
© Big Life Foundation
The rangers took shifts staying with Craig through the night. He seemed slightly better in the morning. Never had Craig’s bowel movements received such attention. A vet administered a big dose of buscopan which has been shown to be effective, but treatment required tranquilization, a risky procedure on such a large suffering animal.
The next day Craig moved into an inaccessible swamp for a while so a drone unit was called in to photograph his dung. After 24 hours, it seemed the worst had passed. He has recovered fully without any further intervention. Elephant lovers around the world can heave a sigh of relief.
© Big Life Foundation
Planning helps in wildlife photography, but there is never any guarantee for sightings. I’ve visited Amboseli three times and three times Craig has shown up in quiet moments. One evening as the light faded from the sky, I sat with the door open in the land cruiser while Craig grazed peacefully a few feet away. It’s hard to describe what it’s like to be in the presence of the largest mammal on earth. He has a quiet demeanor that simultaneously radiates authority and calm. I hope he has many more years to spread his seed and mentor young bulls in the Amboseli ecosystem.
Hanging out with Craig ©kathykarn
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