What do you see when you look at a giraffe?
Grace personified? A wonder of evolution? A symbol of Africa’s wild places?
Sadly, not everyone sees them that way.
As the dry season takes hold, wildlife is pushed closer to human settlements in search of water, just as seasonal income from farming dries up. For a small minority of people, that pressure can make bushmeat poaching seem like an option.
But far more people in this ecosystem choose a different path.
When a community member spotted this giraffe walking with a snare around its neck, they immediately called Big Life's Radio Room. Our rangers responded and contacted the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) vet. Because the report came late in the day, the veterinary team could only reach the site the following morning.
In the past, keeping track of the animal overnight would have been a major challenge. Today, our thermal drones allow us to monitor wildlife safely through the night, ensuring the giraffe remained within reach until first light.
The following morning, the KWS SWT-funded vet successfully darted the giraffe, removed the snare, administered treatment, and then watched as it got back to its feet and disappeared into the bush.
Bushmeat poaching will always be a threat to wildlife in Amboseli, but in this case the combination of our ranger teams, community relationships, cutting-edge technology, and partnerships played a vital role in giving this giraffe a second chance.
Responses like this depend on sustained support long before a call comes in. Ranger Club members help ensure our rangers, radios, vehicles, and conservation technology are ready when wildlife needs them most. Help us reach 50 new or increased members by World Ranger Day and stand with the rangers protecting wildlife every day.
🎥: Joshua Clay
