Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
The legend

This is Craig, one of Africa’s legendary super tuskers, known for his extraordinary tusks that nearly touch the ground. Super tuskers are rare African elephants (Loxodonta africana) with tusks weighing over 45 kilograms each, symbolizing both majesty and vulnerability. Craig roams the Kenyan savannah, representing the dwindling population of such giants due to poaching and habitat loss. Elephants like Craig are crucial for ecosystem balance, dispersing seeds and shaping landscapes. Their survival highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these irreplaceable icons of the wild.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2024
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: Amboseli, Kenya
Camera: AC004
Copyright: © Lakshitha Karunarathna