As we celebrate World Wildlife Day on 3rd March 2023, we would like to highlight the incredible work done by our rangers at the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ project and share what has inspired them to live a life dedicated to protecting wildlife.
Agnetta has been a ranger for 6 years. Since then, it has been her greatest happiness doing an important job of protecting wildlife and natural resources. “I was inspired to become a ranger just by witnessing how they were protecting the wildlife and the effort they put to protect trees as wildlife habitat,” she says.
Her favourite animal? “My favourite wildlife is the lioness because it is very courageous, so strong, believes in herself and does whatever she does with a target and the right goals.”
Lobakite grew up in Northern Kenya in Samburu, where he developed a passion for taking care of wildlife early on in life.
“I come from a nomadic and pastoralist community where we love animals and are dedicated to them. Even before joining as a ranger, we used to interact with animals such as baby elephants or zebras which fell on dams, and we would be the ones to rescue them,” he says. When he was given the opportunity to become a professional protector of wildlife, first with the Kenya Wildlife Service and then with Wildlife Works in 2013, his joy could not be contained, and he promised himself that he would protect them with his heart.
“Without wildlife there can be no forests,” he says. His favourite animal? “I love the lion because it’s not easy to spot it and my day is made by seeing it. I also love giraffes because they remind me of camels, and I am a camel herder. When I patrol, I am able to spot the smell of a giraffe because it’s the same as a camel,” he says.
Lobakite would love for the world to know that collaboration is vital in protecting the ecosystem. “I am very proud of my job and love it,” he says.
Purity is one of the newest rangers at Wildlife Works and has been a ranger for one year and 3 months. She wanted to be a ranger so she could know more about wildlife and conservation.
Her favourite animal is the elephant because of its many unique features. “How it feeds, takes care of young ones, its walking style, and its nature just fascinates me,” she says.
“Since being a ranger, a lot has changed in my life. I can now stand and talk to my community about the importance of protecting wildlife and the environment,” she says.
12 years ago, Ramadhan Galgalo learnt of a ranger recruitment exercise happening in his community area. His motivation for joining the ranger team was to become the one in charge of protecting wildlife and the environment.
“My favourite wildlife is the elephant. I just love elephants because they contribute greatly to the country’s income through tourism,” he says. His message is that we must do more to protect wildlife habitats to reduce cases of human wildlife conflict. “If we destroy them, they will lack habitat and food, then start invading community areas,” he says.
Wildlife Works is proud to have this team of dedicated rangers and we thank them for their work.
