The second quarter of 2026 was one of both momentum and reflection for Big Life. During the quarter, we shared our updated mission and vision – reaffirming our commitment to partnering with local communities to protect iconic species and conserve habitat across the Greater Amboseli Ecosystem, while working toward a future where nature thrives and communities prosper. These aren't new ambitions, but they reflect more clearly what has always been at the heart of our work: that conservation succeeds when communities lead.

That philosophy is evident throughout this report. Our Drone Unit continued to prove its value, providing rapid aerial support for wildlife emergencies, conflict mitigation, and veterinary operations that would have been far more difficult – or impossible – to accomplish from the ground alone. We also celebrated meaningful progress in education, including new classrooms that will expand learning opportunities for local students and the installation of solar power at one of our partner schools, creating brighter futures both inside and outside the classroom.

As this report was being finalized, the third quarter began with the loss of another iconic elephant: One Ton, a magnificent bull who, like Craig before him, died of natural causes after a long life. His passing was a sad moment for all of us who knew him, but also a testament to decades of successful conservation. In a world where so many elephants never have the chance to grow old, the lives of big tuskers like One Ton remind us why protecting habitat, supporting communities, and maintaining a strong presence on the landscape matters so deeply.

Every achievement in these pages reflects the dedication of our rangers, field teams, community partners, and supporters around the world. Thank you for standing with us as we continue building a future where both wildlife and people can thrive together.

With gratitude,

Craig Millar
Chief Operating Officer
Big Life Kenya

READ THE FULL Q2 REPORT

📸: Joshua Clay

Since our last update on July 30, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has continued its investigation into the unusual cluster of elephant deaths in the Amboseli ecosystem. Sadly, since then three additional deaths have been reported, bringing the total under investigation to 18.

Preliminary testing continues to point toward exposure to a toxic substance, with cyanide identified as a likely factor, though this is still being verified. The source of the substance and the circumstances surrounding the elephants’ exposure has yet to be determined.

KWS recently announced that four people were detained as persons of interest following the recovery of potentially toxic substances during their investigation. These individuals were questioned and released without charge, and the substances are currently being tested. Authorities have emphasized that their detention and the recovery of these materials do not establish a link nor criminal responsibility at this time.

Another theory being explored is natural cyanogenic poisoning by a grass native to Amboseli, which grew prolifically after unusually high rainfall earlier this year, and has reportedly killed elephants elsewhere before.

We know there has been considerable speculation surrounding these deaths, particularly online. We are equally concerned, but we urge caution about drawing conclusions before the investigation is complete.

Big Life continues to work closely with KWS and other relevant authorities, providing information and support from our teams on the ground. Our rangers are also maintaining heightened vigilance across the landscape.

Amboseli remains home to one of Africa’s best-protected elephant populations, and we will continue doing everything we can alongside our partners and local communities to keep it that way.

We’ll share verified information as it becomes available. In the meantime, we are so grateful for your support.

Photo: Jeremy Goss

The case began as so many wildlife investigations do: with a phone call to Big Life.

An observant local community member got wind that someone was in possession of something extremely unusual, so unusual that it prompted them to contact our intelligence unit.

This led to a joint investigation with Kenya Wildlife Service, which ultimately led our ranger teams to a small, locked room in a house near the Tanzanian border. Behind it was the mysterious occupant: a ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii), scratching about on the floor.

Preoccupied with eating the termites provided to keep it alive, the pangolin barely noticed the ensuing scuffle, during which the tables were turned on its captor.

The suspect now awaits trial and a lengthy sentence, while the pangolin was released at a safe location far from human settlement.

Since 2018, Big Life intelligence has been directly involved in 37 pangolin-related cases. Sadly in 24 of these incidents, it was too late for the pangolins, who had already been killed and stripped of their scales. But a lucky 13 were found alive and safely released.

Encouragingly, pangolin trafficking in and around our operating area appears to be gradually declining, but it has not disappeared. Our intelligence teams and rangers remain vigilant, protecting pangolins and other lesser-known species across the Greater Amboseli Ecosystem.

This pangolin survived to roam freely because a community member spoke up, intelligence teams followed the lead, and rangers acted swiftly.

From community intelligence to ranger action, your support helps make rescues like this possible.

Over the last month, there has been a string of worrying, unexplained elephant deaths in the Amboseli Ecosystem. The first death was recorded on June 25^th, and since then we have recorded 8 deaths in the areas patrolled by Big Life rangers. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has reported a total of 15 deaths, including those in Amboseli National Park.

KWS has taken samples from multiple carcasses to determine the cause of death. We have refrained from any public comment while we waited for the announcement of the laboratory results, which have been reported in the last 24 hours.

Toxicology testing has detected cyanide in the samples, and KWS has concluded that this is the most likely cause of death, pending further testing to determine if the cyanide concentrations were high enough to be lethal (some plant species produce cyanide and so the substance can be present in herbivores at non-lethal levels).

While there is currently much speculation about the source of the toxin, there is no clear evidence of where it came from, or whether it was intentionally introduced or not.

The most recent death was 8 days ago, and so we hope that the threat has now passed. We are monitoring all of the affected areas and elephants extremely closely. We are also working hard with KWS and other partners to identify the source of the toxin.

We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available. Thank you, as always, for your continued support and concern for Amboseli's wildlife.

📸: Jeremy Goss

A lioness with young cubs had been preying on livestock, breaking repeatedly into homesteads. With tensions reaching a boiling point, it was only a matter of time before tragedy struck.

At just 36 years old, Tee-Jay is considered by many to be the crown prince of Amboseli.

While he is impressive in his own right, Tee-Jay is also descended from greatness. As a member of the illustrious T family, his uncle was Tim, his great-uncle was Tolstoy, and his aunts and great-aunts were Theodora and Teresia.