The Google Doodle today commemorates Ahmed the Elephant, a legendary figure from Kenya’s Marsabit National Reserve. Ahmed is renowned for having some of the longest and heaviest tusks in Africa and was designated a national treasure, being the only elephant in history protected by a presidential decree.
Ahmed was born in 1919 in the forests of Mount Marsabit, Kenya, and gained attention in the 1960s when hikers in the Northern Kenya mountains spotted him. Recognized for his enormous tusks, Ahmed earned the title of “The King of Marsabit.”
In the 1970s, ABC, an Australian news service, produced a series and a documentary after hikers claimed that Ahmed’s tusks were so large they scraped the ground.
Upon Ahmed’s death, Kenya celebrated his legacy. President Kenyatta called for taxidermists to preserve Ahmed’s body for future generations. Today, Ahmed’s preserved body can be found at the Nairobi National Museum, ensuring that his memory endures.
Air New Zealand Orders BETA Technologies’ ALIA Plane to Advance Carbon Emission Reduction Goals
In another development, Air New Zealand (AIR.NZ) announced its order of an all-electric five-seat ALIA plane from U.S.-based BETA Technologies, marking the airline’s first step in adopting next-generation aircraft to reduce carbon emissions on short domestic flights.
The firm order includes one ALIA with options for two more and rights for an additional 20 aircraft, aligning with the airline’s broader aim of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
To meet its sustainability goals, Air New Zealand plans to conduct a zero-emissions commercial demonstrator flight by 2026. Furthermore, the airline aims to replace its current 50-seat De Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q300 turboprops, which operate short domestic routes, with lower-emission alternatives starting in 2030.
The global aviation industry is actively pursuing sustainable aviation fuel and exploring electric, hybrid, and hydrogen propulsion technologies to mitigate its environmental impact.
Greg Foran, CEO of Air New Zealand, emphasized the significance of the ALIA purchase, stating that it marks a new chapter for the airline. Initially, the ALIA will be engaged in a cargo-only service in partnership with New Zealand Post.
