Big Life Foundation

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

Impact for Local Communities Conservation should contribute to the development needs of local communities, rather than compete with them, and all Big Life conservation programs have been conceived with this in mind. Big Life is the second largest employer of people from the Greater Amboseli ecosystem (after the Teachers Commission). Our programs provide direct community support, not only through this employment, but also through lease payments, tourism revenue, and by supporting education and healthcare. Our long relationships and continuous efforts to address human needs through these programs have generated trust and all-important goodwill toward conservation and are a key reason that our wildlife and habitat efforts have been successful. In 2023, our impact for local communities was substantial, and included: - 453 long-term scholarships awarded - $369,157 scholarships awarded - 7,738 students reached with conservation education - 12,600 immunizations administered - 7,755 family planning services provided - 29 search & rescue operations for missing people - 13 emergency hospital transports Learn more in our 2023 Impact Report, now available. https://lnkd.in/gJ429NZX Remembering Ann Lurie We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Ann Lurie, a pioneering philanthropist whose impact was felt globally. Ann's generosity and vision have touched countless lives through her support of healthcare, education, and social services. Among her many contributions, Ann funded the Mbirikani clinic, which served as the catalyst for Big Life’s entry into healthcare support for the local Maasai community. The clinic set the foundation for the evolution of the robust health program we have today, and the physical building still serves as Big Life’s headquarters in Kenya. Ann Lurie’s legacy is one of compassion and commitment. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and express our profound gratitude for her unwavering support for Big Life's programs. 📸: Nikki Best #maasai #community #healthcare #conservation #amboseli #education #kenya

Impact for Habitat The world changes, and conservation efforts must adapt to stay relevant. The largest threat to Amboseli’s wildlife was historically from poachers. Together with partners, we’ve tackled this. We haven’t lost a single elephant to poachers since March 2018, nor a rhino since September 2015. However, we’ve had to broaden our focus to tackle new challenges, the most urgent of which is the threat to natural habitats. The wild spaces of Amboseli have always been informally protected by the Maasai pastoralist way of life, and communal land tenure that put community needs ahead of the individual. This has changed dramatically, through a recent process of land subdivision that has broken large areas into tens of thousands of private land parcels. Amboseli was at risk of losing its open savannahs. To prevent this, Big Life has supported proper land-use planning, and is now working with communities to create structures and incentives to protect migratory corridors and grazing areas, for the benefit of wildlife and livestock-based livelihoods. In 2023, our impact for habitat was substantial, and included: - 14,150 acres of rangeland restoration area - 102,322 anti-erosion bunds installed - 89 suspects arrested for habitat destruction - 2,416 KG sandalwood confiscated - 2,448 land parcels leased for conservation, covering 87,455 acres Learn more in our 2023 Impact Report, now available. https://lnkd.in/gJ429NZX 📸: Joshua Clay