It will take time to fully process our data from the last year, but looking at the numbers from the 4th quarter in context of all that came before, I’m proud of our team and what we accomplished. 

Last year, our rangers confiscated more than 1,000 kg of ivory and more than 2,000 kg of sandalwood. They helped rescue dozens of animals and arrested more than 150 suspects engaged in illegal wildlife crimes. These are just a few of our impressive numbers from last year, and we look forward to sharing more soon.

In the meantime, one number that stands out from December is something I don’t recall ever recording before: zero crop raids by elephants. We can attribute this to an abundance of natural food sources following the good rains, but also the cumulative efforts of our rangers and our crop-protection fencing really paying off.

In our work to protect habitat, we’ve signed conservation leases with thousands of Maasai landowners to help protect critical natural areas. Thanks to our supporters, we’re moving forward on our partnership with the local community to protect the Nairrabala corridor on Olgulului. In addition to signing leases, we’re also hiring rangers and planning for the future of this 37,000-acre connection between Amboseli National Park and the conservancies to the north.

Sadly, we ended the year on a somber note, having lost two of our star employees unexpectedly: Agnes Sopilal, our first female ranger, and Joan Seleyian, who was inspirational in her work to bring critical health services to remote parts of our area of operation. Their loss continues to be felt deeply by all whose lives they touched.

I am, as ever, amazed by and grateful for our supporters from around the world, for stepping up to help us address the challenges we’re facing in Amboseli, and for recognizing that what’s happening here has significance for the broader world, regardless of whether you ever get to visit this incredible place. That said, we hope you do! You won’t be disappointed. Thank you for everything.

SEE THE FULL 4TH QUARTERLY REPORT

Richard Bonham
Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Big Life Kenya

Photo: James Lewin

The humble, bumbling pangolin holds two very different records in the mammalian kingdom: it is the only mammal to grow scales, but it is also the most trafficked animal in the world.

While they have held the first title for tens of millions of years, they have held the second for less than a decade. In evolutionary terms, it has taken humans less than a minute to nearly wipe this ant-eating marvel from existence. Of the six (potentially seven) known species, all are threatened with extinction.

There is hope. While not the primary focus of Big Life operations, our rangers and intelligence teams are still doing their bit to protect them. Pangolins are extremely rare in Maasailand, but are occasionally spotted in Rombo, Taveta, and Tsavo.  

Last year, our intelligence teams got wind of suspects trafficking pangolin scales. After months of planning, they made their move in December and successfully arrested two men in Taveta with 3 kg of scales. Both were handed a $20,000 cash bail - a hefty sum. Then just last week, two additional suspects were arrested again in Taveta with 2.6 kg of scales and given a $10,000 cash bail.

Fortunately, the analysis suggests that the scales are a few years old, likely hidden after the last spate of arrests in 2021/22. The black-market value for these precious protective scales may be high, but the risk to those who seek to profit from them is far higher.  Thanks to the 24/7 presence of our rangers and intelligence teams, the threat of arrest is ever present, tipping the scales in favour of a species threatened with extinction. Pangolin photo: Shaun Mousley

We’ve known One Ton for more than 25 years. His calm demeanor belies a celebrity status as one of Africa’s dwindling “Super Tuskers,” and it’s hard not to be moved by an encounter with this special elephant.

So we’d be lying if we said we didn’t pay special attention to his wellbeing. When he was spotted recently with a nasty wound on his neck, we wasted no time calling for a professional medical opinion.

A Kenya Wildlife Service vet unit, funded by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, was quick to respond and decided that the wound needed treatment. Based on the size and depth of the puncture, it likely resulted from sparring with another bull elephant.

This isn’t the first time this has happened - he was treated back in 2021 for a similar injury. Bull elephants will sometimes fight for dominance; such fights can be extremely violent and serious wounds are not uncommon.

We’ll continue to monitor One Ton’s recovery, but as of today, he’s looking good. Guests at Ol Donyo can expect to see him resume his reign over the local water hole, where much to everyone’s delight, he’s a frequent visitor.

Photo: Jeremy Goss
Video: Jack Bonham

What is sex? What is child marriage? What are STDs? What is teen pregnancy? What is rape?

These are just some of the many questions submitted by students at the Child Rights Clubs organized by Big Life’s community health program. The clubs take place twice a term and are often the only opportunity for young people in this area to seek answers on subjects considered taboo in their community. Questions are submitted anonymously and answered by a school health patron who holds wider discussions about sexual reproductive health and rights.

The closure of schools during COVID precipitated an unfortunate spike in teenage pregnancies across our area of operation: 216 girls dropped out of school in 2021. The clubs were started to combat this, and last year 55 schools hosted these clubs. About 1,500 kids participated.

Rural Maasai communities remain heavily patriarchal. Myths and misconceptions about family planning often prevent women and young girls from making their own decisions about when and how many children they want. A survey conducted by Big Life in 2021 showed that 84% of male spouses disapprove of any family planning, with 86% believing that family planning has long-term negative side effects, including 51% believing that it causes a loss of libido. This is compared with 38% of women who reported that they did not want their last pregnancy, and only 43% used modern contraception against a national average of 60%, the data clearly indicates a need for improved understanding.

Big Life’s community health program was started in 2018. Our goal is to improve rural Maasai communities’ understanding of sex and sexual reproductive health, as well as to improve access to basic health services. This is achieved by holding dialogues with men, women, and young people, staging household visits by community health volunteers, improving access to family planning services, as well as outreach by 14 backpack nurses who provide free antenatal check-ups, HIV tests, counselling, and general healthcare services.

We’re grateful to our partners for their life-saving support of these programs, including Chase Africa and Royal African Safaris.

Photo: Josh Clay