Huge ‘Elephant Queen’ captured on camera

Known as a “big tusker” she’s a rare and extraordinary sight — it’s estimated that fewer than 30 of these animals still exist in Africa.

Capturing the moment

Wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas took these striking shots of a rare “big tusker” elephant in Kenya.

Courtesy Will Burrard-Lucas / @willbl

Burrard-Lucas spent some time living in Tanzania as a child, which sparked his interest in wildlife photography.

“My earliest memories are of safari and wildlife and ever since those days I’ve had this passion for the natural world,” he says.

Burrard-Lucas worked in partnership with the Tsavo Trust to take the pictures

Courtesy Will Burrard-Lucas / @willbl

He took the images of the elephant with a contraption known as the “Beetlecam” which allows him to get close-up photographs of wildlife in its natural habitat.

“Over the years I’ve used it on various projects, and for this project, it’s really to show and emphasize the size of these animals,” he adds.

Burrard-Lucas wants his images to promote wildlife conservation.

Courtesy Will Burrard-Lucas / @willbl

“I hope people are inspired to care about the natural world and, if they want to, to support organizations like the Tsavo Trust who are working so well to keep these animals protected.”

Upcoming book

These elephants are increasingly rare, it’s estimated that fewer than 20 remain in Africa.

Courtesy Will Burrard-Lucas / @willbl

The main subject of Burrard-Lucas’ photographs is an elephant known as F_MU1 — shortly after he took his last shot, she died of natural causes.

Burrard-Lucas took the photographs with a contraption he invented called “Beetlecam.”

Courtesy Will Burrard-Lucas / @willbl

Still, Burrard-Lucas hopes the photographs carry an uplifting message.

“I find [the photos] inspiring to look at because it’s just very positive and inspiring to think that elephants like this are still out there — they haven’t been hunted or poached,” he says.

The photos will be the subject of a book called “Land of Giants.”

Courtesy Will Burrard-Lucas / @willbl

The Tsavo Trust works together with the Kenya Wildlife Service to provide support in conservation efforts — including anti-poaching patrols.

The photographer says that elephants with tusks like the one are even rarer than the black leopard.