Big Life’s Co-founder Richard Bonham will be sharing his personal reflections later this week, but in the meantime, Big Life is extremely sad to report the loss of One Ton, a Kenya icon. The beloved ‘super tusker’ elephant died in the Chyulu Hills on Sunday.

We are confident his death was due to natural causes, and that provides some comfort, although we may never know the exact reason. He had simply lain down, and there were no signs of any struggle to stand up again.

One Ton had grown into something of a totem for Big Life, after Richard first met him about 30 years ago. At that time, he was skittish and temperamental, but over the decades being protected by Big Life’s rangers, he became exceptionally trusting of people and vehicles.

After knowing him for so long, the loss of this extraordinary individual will leave a huge hole in our hearts. From the rangers who protected him, to the wider Big Life community, to the guides and guests who saw him near daily, as well as the thousands who tuned in from across the world to watch One Ton on the Ol Donyo waterhole livestream.

We estimate that One Ton was in his fifties, which is old for a male elephant of his size, and we had known that this day would come. However sad his death is, One Ton lived a long life and did not die at the hands of man. As conservationists and those who loved him, we really cannot ask for more than that.

Thank you for spending time with us, old friend. Your inspiration lives on in us all.

📸: Jeremy Goss