From WWSG exclusive speaker, Paul Nicklen: Less than a month ago, I stood beside one of the most iconic elephants in the world and did everything in my power to do his greatness justice. He is known simply as Craig—a giant of quiet dignity, his tusks reaching the ground. His presence was as immense as his gentle heart.
David, a local Maasai tracker who spends every day with Craig, gave us the rare privilege of walking alongside this extraordinary creature, listening as he moved through his world on the edge of Amboseli National Park. The experience was humbling beyond words. I was not prepared for the overwhelming emotion of standing before one of Africa’s last great tuskers. Cristina and I will be forever grateful to our friends David, Wim, and, most of all, Craig for allowing us a glimpse into their world.
To share the Earth with such wise, old beings is a privilege—one we must never take for granted.
And yet, there are still those who feel entitled to erase a legacy like Craig’s with the pull of a trigger. While Kenya enforces some of the strongest wildlife protections in Africa, its neighbors, like Tanzania, continue to issue trophy hunting permits for old tuskers. Should Craig or another Amboseli giant wander beyond the park’s boundaries, he may never return.
If I leave any legacy of my own, I hope it is one that encourages people to tread more lightly—to move through the world with reverence for our fellow wild kin and gratitude for what remains. For decades, Africa’s most iconic wildlife has been elevated to the global stage by photographers whose images have sparked conservation movements. To finally explore this continent with my own lens, walking in the path of giants—both literal and figurative—is an honor beyond words.
By popular request, I am offering, for the first time, a very limited-edition release of Legend and Earth Echoes in both color and black and white. Each edition is available in a small, exclusive run, allowing you to choose the version that speaks to you and best complements your space. Given the limited number available, I encourage those interested to inquire while this special release lasts.
