The ahmed elephant in Ivory Coast and Kenya – his story
The majestic image of the elephant, with its large ears and peaceful gait, often awakens in us a feeling of respect and fascination. However, beyond this idyllic picture, the stories of Ahmed the Kenyan and Hamed the Ivorian reveal to us more complex realities of the life of elephants in Africa and the challenges of cohabitation with human beings. This article aims to weave the stories of these two emblematic pachyderms, both symbolizing in their own way the greatness and tragedies of their species. Ahmed of Kenya: The “King of Marsabit” The Rise to Stardom Ahmed is one of the most famous elephants in Kenya and perhaps even Africa. Born around 1919 in the Mount Marsabit region, it gained its fame thanks to the impressive length of its tusks which almost scraped the ground. His exceptional status as “King of Marsabit” emerged in the 1960s, when hikers discovered him and he became a media sensation, stimulating public fascination and high-level political interest. Presidential Protection In…
