A Kenyan elephant believed to have been one of Africa’s largest male tuskers has died of old age.

The pachyderm, fondly known as Craig, died of natural causes on Saturday morning at Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya, conservationists confirmed.

“Craig had just turned 54 years old. He led a long life and no doubt fathered many calves,” said the Amboseli Trust for Elephants in its farewell message.

Famed for his long tusks, Craig the elephant was a major attraction at the park near the Tanzanian border. In 2021, he was named an ambassador for the popular Kenyan lager brand Tusker – a name also used for adult male elephants with tusks.

The Kenya Wildlife Service described Craig as an “icon” of successful conservation.

“Craig was one of the last remaining super tuskers in Africa – a rare class of bull elephants whose two tusks weigh over 45kg (100lb) each. Fewer than a handful remain today, making him a living monument to Africa’s natural heritage.”

The wildlife body also said “Craig was deeply loved for [his] remarkably calm nature”, often “pausing patiently as visitors photographed and filmed him”.

“Thanks to his many protectors, he died peacefully of natural causes.”

More than two million tourists visited Kenya last year, many of them seeking out wildlife in the country’s world-famous national parks.

Kenya’s tourism sector accounts for 10% of national GDP, officials say.