The distant thud of helicopter blades signaled the final piece falling into place of an extremely complex operation that took weeks of planning. Big Life’s Super Cub airplane was in the sky. Waiting on the ground were four vehicles and a team of professionals from 5 partner organizations.
The weather between July and September is the closest Amboseli gets to winter.
Dull grey clouds blanket the sky, blocking the sun, sapping color from the plains.
Animals become dependent on permanent water sources, plants become devoid of leaves, and everything seems to be existing rather than thriving, waiting for the good times to return.
It’s the “dry” season and is the toughest time of year, not just for wildlife, but for people too, which is reflected in our arrest data.
Our records show that arrest incidents are highest between July and October, averaging 13-15 incidents a month. It’s a time when crops have long since been harvested, and with them, the temporary jobs have disappeared. This prompts some people to commit wildlife crimes as they try to get by.
This July we have made 7 arrests in 5 incidents, slightly lower than average, which could be attributed to the ample rains the ecosystem received in April.
While trends may vary each year, what remains constant is the presence of our ranger teams who patrol this ecosystem every day, ensuring Amboseli’s people and wildlife remain protected year-round.
Please support our rangers by joining our Ranger Club and becoming a monthly donor. Your reliable funding keeps them in the field throughout the year.
Our ranger teams are on call 24/7 because living alongside wildlife isn’t always easy. Elephants sometimes wander into farmland, wildlife can end up in trouble, and people can find themselves in harm’s way. They can be serious moments, and that’s why our rangers move quickly to protect lives and keep the peace. But sometimes, the call brings hope—a reminder that people and wildlife can share this land, and that with your support, we can help make it possible.
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, 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.
We’re aiming for 50 new Ranger Club members this month. Will you be one of the 50?
All new monthly donors in July will be entered into a drawing to win a gorgeous poster of One Ton - one of Amboseli’s magnificent tusker elephants, protected by our rangers.
There are other perks to joining, including exclusive program updates, an annual impact report, and discounts on Big Life merchandise in our e-store.
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