In the heart of southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, the Amboseli-Tsavo-Kilimanjaro ecosystem is home to one of Africa's largest interconnected savannas, filled with unique wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. Big Life Foundation serves as a guardian of this vital ecosystem, protecting 1.6 million acres and the incredible wildlife within.
Our philosophy is simple but profound: if conservation supports the people, then people will support conservation. This belief has guided us as we partnered with local communities, NGOs, parks, and government agencies, employing innovative conservation strategies to protect the wildlife and wild lands of the region.
Our journey has been one of shared success. Together with the Maasai people and our other partners, we have dramatically reduced poaching across the ecosystem, ensuring the safety of the region's wildlife populations. This is illustrated in our greatest success story: it's been over five years since an elephant has been poached for ivory in our area of operations and seven years since a rhino poaching incident.
The faces of our rangers, valiant local men and women who have facilitated over 4,200 arrests of wildlife criminals, are the epitome of resilience and dedication. Their hard work has preserved Amboseli as a haven for thriving elephant populations, including the rare large 'tuskers,' and has fostered growth in populations of lions, giraffes, and cheetahs.
Our accomplishments extend beyond wildlife protection. Through programs and initiatives that span Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation, Habitat Protection, and Community Healthcare and Education, we have woven a tapestry of conservation that includes the well-being of the local communities.
Julius Kimani, Director General of Kenya Wildlife Services, insightfully describes Big Life's strategy: "[Big Life] has . . . gone a long way to ensure emerging challenges, especially on human-wildlife conflict and wildlife poaching, are tackled in a timely manner and therefore ensuring that communities and wildlife coexist for the benefit of conservation as a whole."
Big Life's success story is a testament to what is achievable through innovative conservation efforts that protect wildlife, land, and local people’s way of life. Together, we continue to write a story of hope and perseverance, as we envision a world where conservation supports the people, and people support conservation. Join us in our mission to protect nature for the benefit of all.