As it turns out, conservation work isn’t always a thankless job.

Big Life rangers put their lives on the line day in and day out to protect the greater Amboseli ecosystem.  It’s no easy feat, and requires not only courage and determination, but also support and commitments from numerous trusted partners across our area of operation.

One such partner, Kenya Wildlife Service, recently sent us a letter of appreciation, which we’re honored to share with you.

Such an endorsement reminds us how much these partnerships matter, and that our efforts do make a difference.

Thank you, Kenya Wildlife Service, for your ongoing efforts and support over the years. We are proud to collaborate with you on critical conservation initiatives.

And thank you, our supporters from around the world, for making our work possible. We couldn’t do it without you.

There are so many sides to any discussion involving communities and wildlife conservation, that it’s almost a circle. There are benefits and there are losses, and we do what we can to make sure that somewhere along the way these get as close as possible to a balance, ideally with wildlife in the black.

But these benefits and losses are often not monetary, and it’s certainly impossible to put human life into any equation. This is something that has hit home recently with the tragic loss of one of the Big Life rangers, killed by an elephant. And just as sadly, the same has happened to two local farmers in the last quarter of 2017. It’s a constant reminder of how serious the issues in this important ecosystem are.

But there is always good news. Zero lions were killed by communities in areas covered by Big Life’s predator compensation fund over the quarter, an incredible display of tolerance by livestock owners during a time with livestock predation at an all-time high. This is also thanks to the efforts of our predator conservation partners in the ecosystem, and the result of a lot of teamwork.

Big Life’s intelligence unit continues its success, and worked with the Kenya Wildlife Service to confiscate more than 250 kg of illegal ivory in the quarter, something that we hope to be seeing less of with the implementation (at the end of 2017) of China’s ban on the commercial ivory trade. Over the quarter six court cases were concluded, including stiff punishment for two suspects caught trafficking ivory: five years in prison and a US $10,000 fine for each of them.

But there is no way to really properly explain everything that the Big Life team achieves in a short little note, so take a minute to read more in our 2017 quarter 4 update.

Richard Bonham, Director of Operations

Photo: Clifford Pickett

They say an elephant never forgets. That theory is hard to test, but we do know that elephants rely heavily on their memories for survival. They rely just as heavily on each other, and a group is sometimes referred to as a ‘memory of elephants’. And yet, within each group, elephants have individual and distinct personalities. Which is what artist Mark Adlington has tapped into with his newest collection of works, “A Memory of Elephants.” He describes elephant conservation not in terms of declining numbers, but through an understanding of some of the magnificent individuals that make up the remaining population.  Mark has spent hours with a number of the unique elephants that Big Life works to protect, and the results are going to be on display in a stunning exhibition that brings together drawings made in the field alongside a powerful series of oil portraits. The exhibition opens September 13th at the John Martin Gallery in London and will run through September 29th. All sales will support Big Life Foundation. There is no substitute for meeting an elephant in person, but Mark’s artwork makes you feel like you’ve done just that.  Find the exhibition catalogue here. 

The artist at work in Kenya

Starting TODAY, July 16 at 9 AM mountain standard time until 9 AM on July 23, t-shirts and hoodies are available for purchase from FLOAT apparel.

In addition to wearing your support publicly, $8 from every t-shirt sold will benefit Big Life to help fund our critical conservation programs.

We’re extremely grateful for the artistic talent of Mark Adlington, who designed this year’s t-shirt art for us. Mark has visited the Amboseli ecosystem multiple times and skillfully paints the elephants that Big Life helps to protect, and this tusker is no exception.

A variety of styles and colors are available to order.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity! Order yours TODAY!