At Tsavo Trust, we take immense pride in safeguarding the great African elephants of the Tsavo Conservation Area, particularly focusing on the awe inspiring Super Tuskers—elephants with tusks so long they scrape the earth. On March 3, 2025, as World Wildlife Day unites the globe in celebrating wildlife, we reflect on their critical role as keystone species and why protecting them is vital for Tsavo’s ecosystems.
Super Tuskers: Guardians of Tsavo’s Biodiversity
Super Tuskers are more than incredible elephants—they are vital keystone species in Tsavo’s ecosystem, shaping its biodiversity and landscapes. In 2024, our Big Tusker Project closely monitored 10 recognized Super Tuskers, with nearly 200 sightings throughout the year, a testament to their enduring presence and resilience in the region.
We witness their daily impact first hand: they dig waterholes in dry riverbeds, providing drinking spots for antelopes, zebras, and lions during droughts. They disperse seeds across vast distances through their dung, helping tree species like Balanites wilsoniana regenerate. By feeding on young acacia trees, they prevent bush encroachment, maintaining open grasslands for grazers and predators, preserving a balanced savanna ecosystem. They are also key role models for Tsavo’s emerging tuskers and the younger generation of bulls in the area.
Protecting Super Tuskers: Tsavo Trust’s 2024 Legacy
Protecting these giants drives our mission. In 2024, our rangers and monitoring teams patrolled tirelessly, logging thousands of days and covering vast distances by vehicle and on foot. We dismantled over 1,200 snares, recovered dozens of tusks, seized illegal bush meat, and made numerous arrests, always with the aim of helping the wildlife of Tsavo Conservation Area thrive. Our aerial units flew hundreds of hours, monitoring Super Tuskers and rhinos from above to thwart poaching threats, while night ambushes and firefighting efforts ensured comprehensive protection of Tsavo’s wildlife.
These efforts spotlight the crucial link between conservation efforts and sustainable livelihoods, aligning with this year’s World Wildlife Day theme, “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet.” By investing in community well-being—through water, healthcare, jobs, and eco-tourism—we not only protect Tsavo’s biodiversity but also ensure that people and wildlife can flourish together, creating a lasting legacy for both.
A Call to Celebrate on World Wildlife Day 2025
As World Wildlife Day 2025 illuminates the global importance of wildlife, Tsavo Trust stands proud in our mission to protect Tsavo’s Super Tuskers and the ecosystems they sustain. Our 2024 efforts—patrolling vast terrains, monitoring from the air, and empowering communities—safeguard these keystone species, ensuring their tusks and genes endure for generations. By fostering harmony with communities, we create a shared legacy of conservation.