At first glance, Energea and Big Life may seem like unlikely partners. One is a nonprofit wildlife conservation organization; the other is a for-profit investment platform focused on global solar assets.

Lenkiloriti is the Maasai word for acacia nilotica, an elegant tree with yellow flowers, loved by elephants and used by humans for a variety of medicinal purposes.

It is also the name of our oldest ranger outpost, dating back to the 1990s. Nestled deep in lava forests of the northern sector of the Chyulu Hills National Park, it has been a key base for Big Life’s rhino protection operations ever since. From here, Big Life rangers work alongside rangers from the Kenya Wildlife Service to carry out anti-poaching patrols and monitor the tiny remnant population of critically endangered eastern black rhinos that call the area home.

What started as a couple of tents grew over time into a permanent ranger outpost. But being in one of the more remote parts of our area of operation, it’s also taken a serious beating over the years and was in serious need of some upgrades.

Thanks to generous donors, Lenkiloriti base is blooming once again. New ranger accommodations, toilets, and a mess area complete with modern technologies have breathed new life to this important outpost.

As we grow as an organization, we are keen to ensure that our infrastructure grows with us. A functioning outpost is critical to the success of our rangers fighting to protect wildlife, who need a safe space to rest, train, coordinate, and conduct operations.  

All of our outposts need similar upgrading at varying levels. Your support makes it possible.  

📸: Joshua Clay

We have some great news to share from Big Life’s tracker dog unit.

When we last updated our supporters, it looked like Holmes might not be able to work as a tracker dog, and we were preparing to bring in another trained dog to partner with Watson. But over the past few months, Holmes has made incredible progress.

With continued training, patience, and the dedication of the ranger handlers working with him every day, Holmes has matured into his role and is now able to remain not just as Watson’s companion but as his full partner in the field. The original pair will remain together as a team.

Because of this progress, the resources that had been set aside for a new dog can instead go toward strengthening the current unit. That includes food and veterinary care, training and equipment, and improved kennels where Watson and Holmes can rest and recover between patrols.

Construction on upgraded kennels is already underway and expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year.

Working alongside Big Life’s rangers, Watson and Holmes help track poachers, detect illegal activity, and support wildlife protection efforts across the Amboseli ecosystem. Their partnership - and the dedication of the handlers who train and care for them - continues to play an important role in keeping wildlife safe.

📸: Joshua Clay