January 17, 1974: Ahmed, the elephant who became a legend in his lifetime dies. Reputed to be 75 years and who in 1970 became the world’s only animal to be granted full protection under presidential decree is dead. The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife said in Nairobi he died of natural causes. Reports reaching Nairobi at the weekend said the area in which Ahmed roamed near Marsabit township in Northern Kenya is guarded day and night by armed game scouts had been hard hit by drought. In the photo, Botswana President Dr. Quett Masire and his wife, Lady Masire are shown the famous stuffed elephant, Ahmed at the National Museums of Kenya by Dr. Richard Leakey, the museums director in August 1986.

Photo|Nation Syndication