Esau is in his mid-thirties — strong, confident, and entering a more advanced phase of maturity. He now comes into musth regularly, typically from late December through March. His cycles are longer and more consistent than before, yet he is still developing; he hasn’t yet reached the full height or weight of the largest males.
Esau avoids direct conflict with older, higher-ranking males such as Pascal, who is larger and dominant. Even though they both frequent the western side of Amboseli, they are rarely seen together — Esau is watching, listening, and keeping his distance. Here, low-frequency musth rumbles, urine trails, and scent marking are essential. Males constantly monitor one another through sound and smell, and the ability to interpret these signals can mean the difference between mating success and serious injury.
Esau is entering his prime, but he is still learning — strong and ambitious, yet cautious.
Pascal, about ten years older, has reached full size and the peak of his strength and breeding power. His musth cycles are now fixed and predictable, lasting around three months and recurring almost like clockwork each year.
With his thick neck, dense muscle, and heavy frame, Pascal is unmistakably in his prime. He no longer wastes energy on unnecessary displays; his sheer presence is enough to deter rivals. This efficiency allows him to conserve strength and remain in excellent condition throughout his musth period — a critical advantage during these demanding months.
Craig died of natural causes in January 2026 at the age of 54, but until his death he represents the senior stage of male life. Though males at this age still reproduce, their physical condition can begin to limit them. Craig remained impressive in stature, but his strength and bulk declined compared to males in their forties.
Older males face new challenges. Worn teeth make feeding less efficient, reducing their ability to maintain the body condition needed for musth. Injuries take longer to heal, and energy reserves are harder to build. After sustaining a wound and suffering through a drought, Craig did not come into musth for three years a clear example of how health and environment affect a male’s hormonal cycle. But after the rains his condition rebounded and he came into musth two years in a row.
Up until the day he died, he remained deeply respected. Younger males would often gather around him, not to challenge, but to learn. He embodied experience and restraint - the wise elder of the male community, a role model. His leadership was subtle yet profound, influencing other elephants through his calm authority.
The largest video and audio library of elephant behaviors.