In the 3^rd quarter of 2020, Big Life rangers found and destroyed 127 snares. In October, an additional 38.

Unfortunately for three lions, there were a few we didn’t find until it was too late. 

The lions were probably not the intended target. These were snares set to catch ungulates for the bushmeat trade. In this case, the lions were bycatch. That’s the term for it in the marine world – bycatch – when unintended creatures are caught while fishing for a different species.

The lions would have been caught while walking along well-used wildlife paths, possibly lured toward the snare lines by the sound or scent of other animals already caught in the snares. Regardless of whether they were the targeted species or not, lion body parts have value to poachers and traffickers on the black market.

Their carcasses were decomposed by the time Big Life rangers found them, but it was immediately obvious what was missing: their teeth and claws. Those parts are believed to have uses as charms and in traditional medicine both locally in Africa and in Asia.

Big Life’s intelligence department immediately got to work to find those responsible, and it wasn’t long before the trail started to warm up. An undercover informer heard news of lion parts for sale, and working with the Kenya Wildlife Service, a bust was set up. The traffickers suspected nothing until it was too late, and two men were arrested with 20 lion claws and 4 canine teeth from one of the carcasses.

Rangers are still actively trying to track the body parts from the other two lions but it was a success to break the chain in at least one case. We won’t stop chasing, and will make sure that those involved in the illegal wildlife trade are never safe.

As the holiday season approaches, we hope you will consider investing in gifts that give back. Share your joy with others by giving meaningful gifts that support a cause we know you care passionately about. Also, be sure to forward these gift options to others in your community who may be looking for ways to give mindfully this year!

 BIG LIFE MERCHANDISE

Our online store is loaded with sustainable giving options, and 100% of the proceeds benefit Big Life. Choose from 2021 calendars, organic totes, new Mizu water bottles, neck gaiters, organic ball caps, and more. We also source some of our gift items directly from Kenya, supporting the local communities and thus the ecosystem even further.

TEMPLE ST. CLAIR

During the month of November, 20% of each online purchase of Temple St. Clair fine jewelry will directly benefit our life-saving efforts in the field. Temple serves as a member on Big Life’s Advisory Board. Her vibrant, award-winning designs are treasured by collectors the world over.

ELEPHANT GIN

Elephant Gin has committed to donating 15% of profits to elephant conservation in Africa. Since they were founded in 2014, they have donated more than €550,000 to three conservation NGOs, of which Big Life is very proud to be one. Visit their website to learn more and see where you can purchase a delicious bottle for your holiday gathering.

 QUAGGA GREEN LABEL

Quagga Green donates 1% to support Big Life’s efforts in East Africa. Visit their website, check out Big Life’s online store, or visit your local Whole Foods to purchase sustainable Quagga Green gifts.

 POPSOCKETS

50% of the proceeds from every phone grip sold on Big Life’s charity page will be donated to Big Life. Choose from elephant, lion, or cheetah (coming soon).

TRIBUTE DONATIONS

You can now easily make a donation in honor or in memory of someone on Big Life's website.

For in honor donations of $50 or more, we'll send a beautiful personalized Wildlife Warrior certificate, sticker, information about our programs, and a discount code for Big Life merchandise.

Regardless of how you celebrate this holiday season, we are grateful for your support of our vision to create a world where conservation supports people, so that people support conservation. We look forward to continuing our efforts in 2021 with you.

In the meantime, happy holidays from everyone at Big Life!

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I write to you anxiously awaiting rain. It’s the end of a long, dry season and tensions are high as temperatures soar. Life is already difficult in the wake of COVID-19 and the subsequent adjustments to life that have occurred. Schools have been closed, clinics have been shut down, and tourism, and the jobs that comes with it, has been practically nil.

But not everything has come to a halt. As I review our 3rd quarter numbers, I’m impressed by how busy Big Life’s community rangers have been. Among the stats for Q3: 17 arrests for bushmeat poaching, 34 arrests for trophy possession, 222.9 kg of ivory confiscated, 127 snares destroyed, 30 crop-raids prevented, 10 lion hunts prevented, and zero elephant, lion, or rhino mortalities to report. If anything, we are busier than ever.

As we go into the final quarter of the year, new challenges loom. In particular, a proposed avocado farm in the middle of a migratory corridor for elephants that is being developed at odds with land-use plans already approved. Development is on hold while the courts review the situation, and we hope they will make the correct decision. It is a reminder that keeping wild lands open for grazing and wildlife is more critical than ever, especially when there is plenty of land dedicated to agriculture already set aside.

None of the work we do is possible without the support of our partners in the field locally, and our donors the world over. I am confident that we can rise to these new challenges together and protect wildlife and lands in East Africa for the benefit of us all.

Richard Bonham
Director of Operations, Big Life Kenya

SEE THE FULL 3RD QUARTERLY REPORT

Big Life is thrilled to partner with Temple St. Clair as we enter the holiday giving season. During the month of November, 20% of each online purchase of her fine jewelry will directly benefit our life-saving efforts in the field.

Temple serves as a member of Big Life’s Advisory Board. Her vibrant, award-winning designs are treasured by collectors the world over. As a story teller, Temple draws inspiration from the natural world and believes in preserving Earth’s beauty.

Her deep love of nature and passion for East African wildlife have motivated her to partner with Big Life’s holistic approach to preserving wildlife and wild lands across the 1.6 million acres of the Greater Amboseli ecosystem. 

https://templestclair.com/