Big Tim was beloved by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide and was a major attraction at Amboseli, his home for 50 years. He was, according to Tsavo gamekeepers “intelligent, mischievous, and good-natured – a genuine gentle giant”.

Tim had survived attacks with spears by farmers during his frequent night raids on crops, was almost drowned in a mud pit, but was saved by Tsavo gamekeepers with help from the Sheldrake Elephant Trust, and was constantly sought by poachers. Despite years of such near-misses, he died of natural causes in March 2020.