Did you know: of all the land animals, elephants have the largest hearts?

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching.  Skip the candy and flowers and honor your love with a donation to Big Life. It's a lasting gift that shows enormous love for the elephants, lions, rhinos, and all species in the Greater Amboseli ecosystem.

Making in-honor donations via our website is easy! Simply select an image, occasion (like Valentine’s Day), and include a special message for your honoree.  

For guaranteed Valentine's Day delivery of your e-card, please make your donation before February 14th by 12:00pm (CST). 

Photo: Shaun Mousley

Last week, community members reported that an adult elephant that was seen limping with a suspected injury on its foreleg near the Porini Conservancy. Big Life rangers sprang into action to locate the injured animal, alerting the SWT/KWS vet team to be prepared in the event the elephant needed treatment.

Within minutes, rangers were on the scene searching the area.  It wasn't long before they located the limping elephant. But he wasn't alone.  It turned out another elephant with him also had a painful-looking injury on its trunk. Luckily, the vet was able to successfully dart both individuals and provide treatment which will hopefully keep any infections at bay.

Both of these injuries were the result of human-wildlife conflict. Conflict incidents are on the rise as the drought worsens and the situation becomes more dire.  But these two elephants have a brighter future thanks to the swift response of the Big Life and Porini rangers and the SWT/KWS team.  We will keep an eye on these two in case any follow up treatment becomes necessary.

These images were taken during the treatment. Their unique individual ear shapes help to identify them to researchers and will us to keep tabs on them in the future. Hopefully they stay well away from area farms.

Big Life Foundation is thrilled to announce our expanded partnership with Mazarin – a fine jewelry house based in Paris, France. Mazarin proves that beauty and sustainability can coexist, with each piece produced from recycled gold and lab-grown diamonds. Big Life is inspired by Mazarin’s commitment to protecting the planet, through their ethically made jewelry, as well as their direct support of wildlife conservation in East Africa.

Mazarin was already donating 10% of the sale price of their “Memory Charm Bracelet” and this year are expanding their support to include the “Lucky Elephant Collection.” Sales of both will now directly support Big Life’s Mike Charlie ranger unit in Kenya. Mike Charlie is a critical mobile foot patrol unit, which prevents wildlife poaching, mitigates human-wildlife conflict, and stops illegal habitat destruction in the Chyulu Hills.

Thank you, Mazarin Paris!

To learn more and shop their beautiful pieces (reminder, Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching), click on this link. 

Waterholes are the beating hearts of a semi-arid ecosystem like Amboseli, and one of the most exciting places to see wildlife. They are particularly important during the ‘dry seasons’ when large numbers of animals descend on them, and incredible interactions can be observed.

Our partners at Great Plains Conservation have brought this sight to the world with a LIVE webcam at the ol Donyo Lodge waterhole. Ol Donyo Lodge is nestled on the border between the Chyulu Hills National Park and Mbirikani Group Ranch, right in the core of Big Life’s area of operation.  

The technology is amazing, but not so much as watching the variety of animals that make regular appearances including elephants, lions, giraffe, zebra, and eland. More secretive animals like caracal or striped hyena will also stop by. The more you watch, the more you’ll see. It’s almost as good as being in the hide at ol Donyo itself.

Tune in to see the animals that Big Life rangers help to protect.

To watch videos from Big Life Foundation click here.