Satao, believed to be one of the largest elephants in world, has been killed for by poachers to fuel the ivory trade.
Satao was one of the last ‘great tuskers’, with huge tusks which reach down to the ground, was killed by a poison arrow after poachers tracked his movements using GPS and mobile phones.
Kenyan Wildlife Services and rangers from the Tsavo Trust had been monitoring Satao’s movements within his home range for the last 18 months to try and prevent poachers from finding him.
However, Satao’s carcass was discovered in a swamp by June Richard Moller, Executive Director of The Tsavo Trust, on 2 June.
In a statement, the Tsavo Trust said:
“With great sadness, we report the death of Satao, one of Tsavo’s most iconic and well-loved tuskers.
“This magnificent elephant was widely known in Tsavo East National Park, where he was observed with awe by many thousands of Tsavo’s visitors over the years. No longer will Tsavo and Kenya benefit from his mighty presence. Satao was shot dead by poisoned arrow on 30th May 2014. The arrow had entered his left flank and he stood no chance of survival.
“We spotted his carcass on 2nd June but to avoid any potential false alarms, we first took pains to verify the carcass really was his. Today it is with enormous regret that we confirm there is no doubt that Satao is dead, killed by an ivory poacher’s poisoned arrow to feed the seemingly insatiable demand for ivory in far off countries.
“A great life lost so that someone far away can have a trinket on their mantelpiece.”
