The KWS has recently announced the death of iconic elephant Lugard which died of old age. In a statement, the Kenya wildlife service wrote:

“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.

In a determined approach to better safeguard these ambassadors of the elephant world, Tsavo Trust and KWS launched the Tsavo “Big Tusker Project” ten years ago with the goal of providing more security and protection to the legendary Tuskers.

On November 21, 2022, on a regular reconnaissance fly over KWS Tsavo West National Park, Conservation Officer and Pilot, Joseph Kimaile of the Tsavo Trust, discovered Lugard’s 3-day-old carcass.

KWS and Tsavo Trust immediately launched an emergency ground response team to verify the situation where they found out that Lugard’s death was caused by natural causes relating to old age. Both tusks were found intact and subsequently recovered.

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There is no doubt that Lugard is the father of numerous elephants of various ages, and it is likely that several of his offspring will 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.

You will be greatly missed, Lugard.