There is a rumble in the dark and enormous figures loom. The solitary human figure stands his ground; his community depends on him. Thirsty elephants are dangerous, but not so dangerous as a broken borehole during a severe drought.

His job is simple but important: keep water flowing and prevent damage from wildlife. And there is one like him at each of the 12 boreholes that Big Life supports. These water points are lifelines in areas far from natural water sources. They are used by people and livestock during the day, and by wildlife at night. Everyone benefits.

But when water in the troughs runs dry, elephants will break them apart to access the pipes, resulting in community anger and a dangerous conflict situation. Borehole attendants try to prevent this damage, often sitting atop reservoirs overnight, and calling Big Life rangers to assist when necessary.

When damage is done then Big Life helps with repairs, and we’ve already had to increase our budget for this with more frequent damage to boreholes as a result of the drought.

A better solution is to give wild animals the water they need, and we provide fuel to pump extra water at community boreholes during the dry months, so that there is enough for livestock AND wildlife.

We’ve had to increase our budget for this too and are also using emergency water bowsers (trailers fitted with water tanks) to deliver water to more remote areas. This will help take the pressure off animals needing to travel long distances to find water, which is often the killer during a drought.

Thank you for your donations to support wildlife and people in these worsening conditions.

Photo: Josh Clay

Big Life Foundation is excited to announce a new partnership with Mazarin, a fine jewelry house based in Paris. Mazarin’s brand transcends the typical fine jewelry model, as each piece is crafted in accordance with ethical and sustainability practices.

Mazarin will contribute 10% of the sale price of each Memory Charm bracelet to Big Life, directly supporting our mobile foot ranger unit in the Chyulu Hills, Kenya. Big Life is grateful for the Mazarin brand which creates beautiful pieces that help protect the natural beauty of East Africa.

Dust devils dance on the horizon. The landscape is parched, but in Amboseli National Park water continues to pump from underground, emerging crystal-clear from springs that are fed by rain and snowmelt on Mt Kilimanjaro.

This harsh yet beautiful place is a paradox. While the springs provide unlimited drinking water, when the rains fail the surrounding grasses cannot grow, meaning little to eat. As the current drought goes on, desperate animals are grazing right into the water, trying to scrounge the last scraps of nutrition.

There is still grass in some parts of the Greater Amboseli ecosystem, far away from water sources.  Big Life already provides water for wildlife in some of these areas by supplying community boreholes with fuel, so that they can pump enough water for livestock AND for wildlife.

We are assessing how to provide water elsewhere, and grateful to all partners doing similar. As the drought gets worse, we are going to have to expand these efforts, to help key wildlife populations through these difficult times.

Thank you to all sending their support during this difficult time.

Photo: Jeremy Goss

Things are getting harder by the day here in Amboseli, and we are seeing the impact of the drought on more and more animals. Some have laid down and are too weak to stand again.

Such was the case with this young zebra, found by Big Life rangers on patrol in the Kimana Sanctuary. The zebra’s family watched from a distance as a ranger helped it back to its feet, after which it slowly walked to rejoin its mother.

With two months to go until the next anticipated rains, animals across the Amboseli ecosystem remain at risk of dying from starvation or thirst. Although incredibly hard to witness, this is part of the natural boom and bust dynamics that are characteristic of semi-arid savanna ecosystems.

Zebras, wildebeests, and others are succumbing to the worsening conditions. As the situation becomes more severe, our rangers are working overtime to help struggling animals when possible, while also tackling a notable increase in bushmeat poaching attempts. As resources become scarce, everyone struggles, human and wildlife alike.

We’ve implemented some emergency programs for the local Maasai people – including a school feeding program and a community work program – and are actively assessing what we can do for wildlife in terms of food and water.

As always, the Big Life rangers will do everything that they can to help.

It is an extremely difficult time for all, and we truly appreciate your messages of support.