Ahmed the Elephant: A Majestic Legacy

Google Doodle Celebrates Ahmed, Kenya’s Iconic Giant Tusker

Google pays tribute to Ahmed, the first giant tusked elephant protected by a presidential decree in Kenya, through a captivating doodle.

Born in 1919 on the slopes of Mount Marsabit, Kenya, Ahmed gained fame in the 1960s when hikers in the North Kenya mountains spotted him, affectionately calling him “The King of Marsabit.”

Ahmed’s legendary tusks, scraping the ground, became a national fascination, though he was rarely seen. Folklore even suggested he could only climb hills by walking backward due to his enormous tusks, each weighing a staggering 150 pounds, making them the largest in Africa.

In 1970, Ahmed’s popularity surged, aligning with efforts to protect him from poachers. Television projects, including an ABC series and a documentary, elevated his status. School children campaigned for him, writing to Kenya’s first president, Jomo Kenyatta, leading to Ahmed’s official protection by presidential decree.

To safeguard his life, two guards watched over Ahmed day and night in Marsabit Park until his passing at 55 in 1974. Discovered one morning behind bushes, his legacy endured. President Kenyatta ordered taxidermists to preserve Ahmed at the Nairobi National Museum.

Salim Amin, son of Kenyan photographer Mohamed Amin, recounted his father’s encounter with Ahmed. Amin and colleague Peter Moll narrowly escaped a charging Ahmed during their final photographic encounter, highlighting the majestic and powerful nature of “The King of Marsabit.”

Today, Ahmed’s preserved body at the Nairobi National Museum stands as a testament to Kenya’s commitment to preserving its natural treasures for future generations. #AhmedtheElephant continues to inspire awe and admiration as a symbol of wildlife conservation.