Ahmed of Marsabit was and still is the most famous elephant ever to have roamed the African continent. The territory around Mount Marsabit in Kenia may always have been renowned for its extraordinary tuskers, yet this particular ”Bwana Tembo” eclipses all predecessors.

The S 202 ”Ahmed of Marsabit” tells the story of this unique creature. Eternalised in steel engravings on a big game rifle, this legend is also a testimonial to the legal and effective hunting of big game that contributes decisively to the preservation and diversity of species living in the wild.

Born in 1919, Ahmed grew to become a truly unique giant, justifiably known by the natives and big game hunters alike, as the”King of Marsabit”.

In 1970, in order to protect him from poachers, former president of Kenia, Jomo Kenyatta, placed the elephant under his protection by presidential decree – an unparalleled occurence in the history of the country. Thenceforth, the giant was watched over day and night by two hunters.

Then one morning in 1974, after having waited in vain for their charge to reappear from the copse he had disappeared into the night before, his personal body guards decided to go and look for him. When they found Ahmed dead, he was not lying on his side, but resting majestically on his famous tusks, half leaning against a tree. He was 55.

Today, Ahmed of Marsabit can be admired as a mounted exhibit in front of the Kenian National Museum in Nairobi.

Engraver: Hendrik Frühauf
Year of manufacture: 2005