Craig…..

I have become fascinated by an elephant. Craig, one of the last “super tuskers” has passed in Kenya, Africa. He was 54 years old, old for a bull elephant, and died of natural causes, not the demise of many elephants who are heartlessly snared and shot by poachers collecting the ivory tusks. He was a magnificent critter as elephants go.

There are literally thousands of photos of Craig in existence. By all accounts, he was a ham, posing willingly with Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background. He was described as a gentile giant, who sired a number of progeny as he roamed about exerting is mighty influence. He was a giant, living within the shadow of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania’s volcanic, free standing mountain, the highest mountain of its kind in the world. Fitting, I think, one of nature’s mightiest creatures under this beautiful mountain.

Once upon a time, I was a very active hunter. I’ve killed game, mostly in Missouri, of every stripe and kind. I can also proudly say I was not a killer, in that I only killed what I could eat, never for the blood sport of simply watching something die at my hand. Try as I may, I simply do not understand the thrill of killing one of these magnificent animals for the privilege of saying you did so. Elephants, with their intelligence and strong herd instinct deserve better, and their killing for the tusks is unfathomable to me.

Craig was closely watched. Kenya’s rangers carefully monitored the old guy, protecting him from being killed for his tusks. Kudos to the rangers, who in the end stayed with Craig as he escaped this life. Elephants grow 6 sets of molars in a lifetime, the last set coming in their 30’s. When this set wears down, they can no longer chew their forage, become weak and drifting off to die peacefully. This was Craig’s circumstance, a death with dignity in the presence of his protectors.

My final thought about the passing of Craig. I have never seen an elephant in the wild, nor did our Lab, Tazzy have this opportunity. I hope it is God’s plan that we can see our pets again. It is also my fervent hope that Tazzy meets Craig. Taz loved all critters from cows to mice, and would be amazed at the presence of Craig. These two deserve to be at the same pond together, splashing about…..

Two of God’s creations, together in the presence of those who loved them. Godspeed Craig, I wish that I could have known you.

SR