Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) on Thursday announced the death of the celebrated Kenyan elephant, Lugard, due to old age.
“It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to one of Tsavo’s iconic and majestic Super Tuskers named Lugard, who has just passed away from old age,” KWS said.
Lugard reportedly died on November 21, 2022, at the Tsavo West National Park.
Celebrating ‘Lugard’ – one of Kenya’s Super Tusker’s
It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to one of Tsavo’s iconic and majestic Super Tuskers named Lugard, who has just passed away from old age. pic.twitter.com/xR0bxulKk7
— Kenya Wildlife Service (@kwskenya) November 24, 2022
Conservation officer and pilot Joseph Kimaile of the Tsavo Trust discovered Lugard’s three-day-old carcass.
“There is no doubt that Lugard is the father of numerous elephants of various ages, and several of his offspring will likely become Super Tuskers in the future because his rare “large tusk” genes have been passed on and secured in the Tsavo ecosystem.
“Nevertheless, it is always sad to lose an elephant, let alone a Super Tusker,” KWS stated.
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In a determined approach to better safeguard these ambassadors of the elephant world, Tsavo Trust and KWS launched the Tsavo “Big Tusker Project” 10 years ago with the goal of providing more security and protection to the legendary Tuskers.
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