Big Life Foundation

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WILDLIFE RANGER CHALLENGE The #WildlifeRangerChallenge is the world’s largest celebration of solidarity, support, and fundraising for wildlife rangers. This year more than 100 teams of rangers spanning the African continent are taking part in a series of challenges, culminating in a grueling 21km race, in uniform while carrying 22kg backpacks. This global campaign #ForWildlifeRangers is organized by our longtime partners at the Tusk Trust. It brings together competitors, rangers, family members, wildlife supporters, and social media followers around three central goals: - Raise vital funds for frontline conservation efforts - Drive awareness of the importance of the role rangers play in conservation - Communicate the challenges that these brave men and women must face to protect Africa’s wildlife. Since its inception five years ago, the WRC has raised $18 million for hundreds of African conservation organizations, including Big Life. This year, the Scheinberg Relief Fund has generously committed $1 million in matched funds in support of rangers most in need. To support Big Life in the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, please visit: https://lnkd.in/g2-SwzYn To learn more about this fantastic initiative, follow Tusk and the hashtag #ForWildlifeRangers.

Today on World Ranger Day, we honor our 390 dedicated rangers who are the heart and soul of our conservation success in Greater Amboseli. Their relentless efforts have led to patrolling over 5 million kilometers, arresting over 5,000 suspects, and removing more than 5,000 kg of ivory from the illegal wildlife trade. Just as we are grateful for them, our rangers are thankful for YOU, our supporters. As Operation Commander James Kupere says, “Your support keeps us in the field, so we can patrol huge areas and respond to threats as they happen. Thank you for standing with us.” Constable Faith Ntooki adds, “Thanks to your donations, we’ve been able to reduce poaching and protect the globally important biodiversity of Amboseli. Together we are making a real impact.” From Head of Security and Operations Francis Legei, “Your donations make all this possible. Thank you for your continued support. We couldn’t do it without you.” Join us in celebrating and supporting our rangers today, and every day. #WorldRangerDay #BigLifeFoundation #ConservationHeroes #Amboseli Footage: Joshua Clay Keith Allen Jeremy Goss James Cummings Black Bean

The illegal bushmeat trade poses a grave threat to countless species, which is why we take it so seriously. Big Life’s Commanding Officer Francis Legei knows this better than anyone as our rangers dismantle poaching rings and safeguard wildlife across Greater Amboseli. Legei's leadership is crucial, but his success in the field depends on consistent support. By joining our monthly Ranger Club giving program, you provide the sustained resources needed for enhanced intelligence gathering, more effective anti-poaching patrols, and ultimately, safer habitats for animals. Become a guardian of Amboseli's wildlife – join the Ranger Club today and help ensure future generations can witness the awe-inspiring beauty of these magnificent creatures. https://lnkd.in/g3HECr9F 📽 : Joshua Clay, Keith Allen, Jeremy Goss #biglife #rangers #worldrangerday #conservation #rangerclub #amboseli #kenya #wildlife #bushmeat #poaching

Craig Millar is our Chief Operating Officer in Kenya and has overseen our ranger program for over a decade. The success of our rangers is thanks in part to his leadership. As one of our pilots, he’s frequently spotted throughout the ecosystem on aerial patrols, attending meetings, and helping to coordinate our 300+ rangers and ever-widening intelligence network. A 4th generation Kenyan, Craig first became involved with Big Life while studying for his zoology degree at Newcastle University UK. He interned with Big Life in 2011, researching predator behavior in the ecosystem, focusing on data specific to Big Life’s Predator Compensation Fund before joining Big Life full time in 2013. Today, he remains committed to protecting the Greater Amboseli ecosystem and is an integral part of all Big Life operations across all departments. If you haven’t seen “The Ivory Game” on Netflix, you can see how Craig helps to calm the local community following an elephant crop-raiding incident, work that has since led to 100 km of solar-powered crop-protection fencing that is keeping elephants and farmers safe. ----------------------------- Ensuring our rangers are well-funded is more vital than ever for East Africa’s wildlife, landscapes, and communities. Join our Ranger Club with a monthly contribution to keep them in the field. Every donation, at any amount, is a huge help. New members or those increasing their July donation receive a special gift. Benefits include exclusive updates, 20% off Big Life merchandise, and the satisfaction of directly safeguarding Greater Amboseli’s wildlife and wild lands. Join the Ranger Club today! https://lnkd.in/g3HECr9F #biglife #rangers #conservation #netflix #kenya #wildlife #amboseli #elephants

Step into Leopard Camp on Kimana Sanctuary with Sergeant Jonathan Kilusu as he gives us a behind-the-scenes tour of one of Big Life’s 32 ranger outposts. A ranger outpost is where the day starts and ends for our 300+ rangers, who rotate through these strategically located base camps throughout the Greater Amboseli ecosystem as they protect wildlife, habitats and communities. 🎥 : Joshua Clay #rangeroutpost #rangers #conservation #amboseli #kenya #biglife #kimanasanctuary

DEFENDERS OF AMBOSELI: CELEBRATING OUR FEMALE RANGERS Herding goats can be tedious, and Constable Jane Tayiana did a lot of it growing up in a remote corner of Big Life’s operating area. The highlight of her days was watching the wild animals grazing nearby, and elephants in particular took her breath away. She aspired to become a safari guide, but her path eventually led her to Big Life, where she has worked as a community ranger for two years now and loves the fact that she spends her days protecting the animals that she fell in in love with as a child. Constable Faith Ntooki grew up in the foothills of the Chyulu Hills and is remarkably following in her father’s footsteps. He also worked as a Big Life ranger and instilled in her a passion for wildlife. He sadly passed when she was young, and she was on the verge of dropping out of school when her family couldn’t afford the fees. Faith’s fortunes changed when she earned a scholarship from Big Life, thanks to the Capricorn Foundation, allowing her to complete her secondary schooling. By becoming a ranger, she is continuing to honor her father’s legacy. Both rangers are demonstrating to their local community, and the world, that they are just as capable of protecting Amboseli’s wildlife as their male counterparts. From anti-poaching patrols to preventing human-wildlife conflict, Big Life’s 10 female rangers are working for a more equitable society in a field dominated by men. Supporting our rangers, including Constables Tayiana and Ntooki, with stable funding is crucial for safeguarding East Africa's wildlife, habitats, and Maasai communities. Please join our Ranger Club with a monthly contribution to sustain their efforts. Every contribution makes a difference! New members or those increasing their July donation receive a special gift. You’ll also enjoy exclusive program updates, 20% off Big Life merchandise in our e-store, and the satisfaction of directly impacting conservation efforts in East Africa. Thank you for your support! https://lnkd.in/g3HECr9F 📸: Joshua Clay #femalerangers #rangers #conservation #amboseli #wildlife #elephants #kenya #eastafrica #rangerclub

RANGERS PROTECTING FARMS, SAVING ELEPHANTS Human-elephant conflict is a growing challenge in our region. As human populations expand, so do the demands on land and resources, leading to frequent and sometimes deadly encounters between people and wildlife, including elephants. For six years, Ranger Daniel Kutata has dedicated his life to protecting both wildlife and local communities across Greater Amboseli. During the day, he patrols the vast landscapes on foot. At night, he helps prevent human-elephant conflicts, guiding these intelligent giants away from farms with skill and determination. “It’s hard work,” Daniel admits, “but from my experience, the farmers appreciate the work we do. This wouldn't be possible without the support of our donors." When elephants stray into farms, our rapid-response ranger units swing into action. These brave rangers work around the clock, utilizing vehicles, spotlights, and even noise-makers to push the elephants back into the wild, away from farms. Their efforts help to maintain a delicate balance, protecting the livelihoods of local farmers while ensuring the elephants can roam freely and safely. Support their heroic efforts by joining our Ranger Club with a monthly donation. Your contribution will help us continue to protect both people and wildlife. Together with local communities, our rangers are making a real difference, safeguarding livelihoods and preserving wildlife. https://lnkd.in/g3HECr9F 🎥: Joshua Clay & Keith Allen

The Amboseli Ecosystem spans two countries, and Big Life was the first organization to institute cross-border efforts to eliminate poaching. Meet John Magembe, Anti-Poaching Commander of the Enduimet Wildlife Management Area, a key dispersal site for Amboseli's elephants. Ensuring our rangers are well-funded is more vital than ever for East Africa’s wildlife, landscapes, and communities. Join our Ranger Club with a monthly contribution to keep rangers like Magembe in the field. Every donation, at any amount, is a huge help. New members or those increasing their monthly donation during July will receive a special gift. Benefits include exclusive updates, 20% off Big Life merchandise, and the satisfaction of directly safeguarding Greater Amboseli’s wildlife and wild lands. Please join our Ranger Club today! https://lnkd.in/g3HECr9F 📹: Josh Clay #rangers #antipoaching #conservation #wildlife #eastafrica #elephants #amboseli

SCANDALWOOD While elephants and rhinos may grab most headlines, Big Life has been fighting a silent battle to protect a species whose persecution is barely known: African Sandalwood is a plant that is unremarkable in appearance but extraordinary in fragrance. Sandalwood oil is used in cosmetics, perfumes, and medicines the world over. It’s a plant that’s in extremely high demand, making it incredibly valuable, but all attempts to cultivate and farm it have failed. Combined with slow growth, minimal protection, and a lack of understanding of its range and ecology, and you have all the ingredients for extinction. The Chyulu Hills in Big Life’s operating area are an important stronghold for the species, which has made it a target for the illegal sandalwood trade. Between 2021 and 2023, in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), our rangers and intelligence network have arrested 105 sandalwood harvesters and traffickers and confiscated 21.5 tonnes of sandalwood. Just last week, we arrested a key player in a local smuggling ring. We don’t know if these numbers tell the story of a growing threat, or if we’re simply making more busts thanks to our ever-growing intelligence network. What we do know is that our efforts are making a difference for the future of this tree. Supporting our rangers with stable funding is crucial for safeguarding East Africa's wildlife, habitats, and Maasai communities. Please join our Ranger Club with a monthly contribution to sustain their efforts. Every contribution makes a difference! New members or those increasing their July donation receive a special gift. You’ll also enjoy exclusive program updates, 20% off Big Life merchandise in our e-store, and the satisfaction of directly impacting conservation efforts in East Africa. Thank you for your support! Join the Ranger Club: https://lnkd.in/g3HECr9F 🎥 : Joshua Clay & Keith Allen #rangers #rangerclub #biglife #kenya #wildlife #eastafrica #africa #animals #community #conservation

JOIN THE RANGER CLUB When we asked Sergeant Sinkoi Kanchori of our Chyulu Hills Ranger Unit what he liked most about being a Big Life ranger, he said, “I enjoy being a ranger because it provides me with a steady salary. This means I can look after my family and pay for my children’s school fees. I am also proud to protect the landscape I grew up in, and I would be very sad to see iconic animals like lions, giraffes, rhinos, and elephants disappear. My work as ranger ensures that the wild animals that were so plentiful when I was a boy can continue to prosper in this ecosystem.” That’s the spirit with which we created the Ranger Club, our monthly giving program. For Sergeant Kanchori, a steady salary means the world of difference for his family and his ability to protect the ecosystem he grew up in. Our rangers are the core of our operations, and the heart and soul of our conservation success in Greater Amboseli. Without them, the fabric of Amboseli would unravel. And without you, none of it is possible. By becoming a monthly donor in Big Life’s Ranger Club program, you not only support the protection of threatened wildlife and habitats, you also help us conserve resources. Monthly giving maximizes the impact of your gift by providing reliable funding for our conservation programs. Throughout the month of July in the lead up to World Ranger Day, new Ranger Club members, or existing members who increase their monthly gift, will receive a special thank you from Big Life. There are other perks to joining, including exclusive program updates, an annual impact report, and discounts on Big Life merchandise in our e-store. Please join the Ranger Club today! https://lnkd.in/g3HECr9F 📸: Jeremy Goss #rangerclub #biglife #conservation #community #maasai #wildlife #kenya #amboseli #africa #eastafrica