An untrained eye would easily overlook them. At the height of the dry season these fawn-colored lion cubs blend in perfectly, helping to keep them safe from predators.

The White Rock Pride has seen an explosion of cubs recently, a prolific rebound following some difficult years, and the loss of a number of individuals to human-wildlife conflicts. The core of this pride, on Mbirikani Group Ranch, now boasts 5 lionesses and 10 cubs – 6 older and 4 still very small.

Twenty years ago, this lion population was on the verge of local extinction. Thanks to the concerted efforts of our conservation partners and funders, and the participation of local communities, lions across Greater Amboseli are once again at healthy population levels. Our Predator Compensation Fund prevent retaliations against them for depredation of livestock; programs like our upcoming Maasai Olympics have helped to shift Maasai culture from killing to conservation.

This is an explosion of kittens worth celebrating. Thank you all for making it possible.

Image: Jeremy Goss

A wall of vegetation looms, brandishing thorny branches that reach out to shred your clothing. Winding elephant paths offer some way through the maze, but the ground is ancient lava, sharply cutting into the soles of your shoes. Fix your eyes on the ground to avoid twisting an ankle, and by the time you look up again, the dense bush has swallowed you whole, eroding all sense of time or direction.

It is no surprise then, that the lava forests of the Chyulu Hills are the hideout of a remarkable population of critically endangered Eastern black rhinos. From a historic population of thousands in the region, today only 8 remain.

The King of this Labyrinth is Dickson. Pictured here, he is estimated to be between 30 and 35 years old, older than many of the Big Life rangers that are protecting him. He is named after one of the four rangers that were the start of Big Life’s anti-poaching program more than three decades ago.

Dickson has been doing his own bit to protect his fellow rhinos. He is very likely the father of the rhino calf that we reported was born a year ago. Thanks to recent sightings of tracks, and blurry camera trap evidence, we know that calf is still alive and well, hidden away in the labyrinth with his mother.

Today on World Rhino Day, we want to thank all those who support our rhino program, particularly the Kenya Wildlife Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Chester Zoo, as well as Royal African Safaris.

The SWT-funded KWS veterinary team responded immediately. The lion was sedated, the snare was removed, and the wound treated, which luckily, was not too severe. The lion was awoken and he rejoined his pride, which was patiently waiting nearby.

This lion is incredibly lucky that the waterhole he picked is extremely well-monitored. This incident underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between conservation organizations and local communities, including local lodges. Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Lion Guardians, Ol Donyo lodge staff (Great Plains Conservation), and Big Life’s dedicated rangers are all committed to protecting wildlife.

We are grateful to them, and you, for making rescue operations like this one successful.

🎥: Joshua Clay

Temple St. Clair is proud to support the Big Life Foundation.

Launching this fall with our Arcadia Collection are new creatures inspired by memories of Amboseli.  In Swahili:  Twiga, Kifaru, Tembo, and Simba — a giraffe, a rhinoceros, an elephant, and a lion — appear as 18K gold pendants, jeweled portraits of individual creatures that Temple has convened with during her travels in Kenya.

20% of proceeds from these new jewels will be donated to the Big Life Foundation.

The pendants can found at templestclair.com and at the Temple St. Clair Flagship (803 Washington Street, New York City).

Temple St. Clair is certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the industry’s governing body for responsible sourcing.  TSC gold is recycled and mined mercury-free.  TSC diamonds are ethically sourced and traceable.  The pendants are made in Italy.