The magnificent life-size 'big tusker' has so far taken artist Jonathan Truss three weeks - during which an estimated 2,500 elephants have been killed for their ivory. His elephant appears to be charging from the 15' x 12' canvas in the stunning 3D-like work. Jonathan, 55, whose paintings sell for thousands, set himself the huge challenge to raise money and awareness for wildlife charities. He hopes the finished work will fetch six figures when it is auctioned at Christmas, with the money going to conservation causes. Jonathan, one of Britain's best known wildlife artists, chose an iconic male elephant known as Satao (corr) as his model. The giant was one of the rapidly-diminishing number of so-called 'Big Tuskers' - elephants with tusks weighing a staggering 100lb EACH. He lived in Kenya's Tsavo East national park and was one of the biggest and best-known of the beasts until he was felled by a poacher's poisoned arrow last May. Conservationists estimate there are now as few as 30 big tuskers left in the wild and they could be gone completely by the next generation.