At just 36 years old, Tee-Jay is considered by many to be the crown prince of Amboseli.
While he is impressive in his own right, Tee-Jay is also descended from greatness. As a member of the illustrious T family, his uncle was Tim, his great-uncle was Tolstoy, and his aunts and great-aunts were Theodora and Teresia. Not only have his family members consistently had some of the longest tusks, but they have always had a firm presence in either Amboseli National Park or Kimana Sanctuary.
Tee-Jay is just a few years older than Big Life Ranger, Constable Daniel Kutata. In Maasai society, this would mean they are part of the same age set, sharing a spiritual bond for life as brothers and equals.
The significance is not lost on Daniel, who has protected and cared for Tee-Jay’s relatives during their lives and even in their last moments. Now that the previous generation has passed, it is fast becoming Tee-Jay and Daniel’s time to step into some very big footsteps.
If all goes well, both of them will be right here in Amboseli doing exactly the same thing, 15 years from now!
None of this information would exist without the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, who for more than 50 years have documented the lives and losses of this remarkable elephant population. We’re grateful to have them as partners in protecting Amboseli’s elephants.
Ensuring elephants like Tee-Jay remain part of Amboseli’s future also depends on rangers being in the field every day. In honor of World Ranger Day on July 31, we’re hoping to reach 50 new or increased Ranger Club memberships during July.
Everyone who joins the Ranger Club as a new monthly donor—or increases their current monthly gift—during July will be entered into a drawing to receive a One Ton elephant poster. The poster honors the legacy of one of Amboseli’s iconic super tuskers, protected by Big Life’s rangers throughout his life.
📹: Joshua Clay
