Balguda
Jonathan Kenworthy and Balguda in studio, 2026. Photo by Steve Russell Studios Ltd.
Balguda, 2026
Thanks to the helicopter skills of Kim McKenzie, the knowledge and care of Richard Moller and the hospitality of Griet Van Malderen, I was able to spend a week in the company of this remarkable elephant in September 2024.
Tsavo East was dry and life for the 17,000 elephants there is tough. The vital path to water gave us a focus for our daily search for Balguda, who continued his activities with no apparent stress caused by our presence. It was the first time for me in many years that I have spent quality time with a tusker of this size and I came back to my studio full of his image and personality – together with thoughts of the other elephants we encountered on our safari.
