For a few beautiful days I was lucky enough to go on assignment for the Big Life Foundation to document the life of the rangers who's soul responsibility is to keep one of the last remaining big tuskers protected. Big tusker named Tim, is under armed protection by a mobile unit of four Big Life Africa Rangers and the latest satellite tracking technology donated by the Amboseli Trust for Elephants. Tim calls the Amboseli National Park his home, but like other wild bulls his nomadic lifestyle traveling in and out of the park puts him in danger.
Pictured: The last remaining big tusker leading his herd and Assistant Warden 2 Timothy Kasaing T. Nkurude of the Big Life Foundation's Mobile Team.
For over 40 years Tim, the elephant, has been monitored and cared for by Assistant Warden 2 Timothy Kasaing T. Nkurude. During which time Nkurude has worked for the Kenyan Wildlife Service and presently the Big Life Foundation where he leads a mobile team of four men who's soul responsibility is to protect Tim from poachers and human wildlife conflict. Due to their long term bond the researchers at Amboseli Trust for Elephants named Tim after Nkurude.
According to Nkurude, Tim now 47, is the last remaining big tusker in Kenya. This is the term used to describe African elephants—usually males—whose tusks are so long that they reach the ground. The great tuskers are an irreplaceable symbol of Africa's unique natural heritage. But their magnificent tusks act like a magnet for poachers and mean that these elephants are constantly at risk.
Nkurude is a member of the Maasai tribe. He has worked in anti-poaching since his early twenties, starting in Kenyan Wildlife Service and moving into the private sector at a later stage. Since starting work with the Big Life Foundation, he has proven to be trustworthy, knows the community and its traditions well, and as someone who is passionately committed to wildlife and its conservation.
Currently, more than poaching, human wildlife conflict has become an increasing problem. According to Nkurude, helping the local people understand that without the animals, like Tim, there is nothing of economic value left can be difficult. The land can only support so much herding, and even less farming. And these resources will only become more unsustainable over time, as climate change kicks in and droughts occur more often.
" Nkurude describes Tim as a humble and shy elephant. Unfortunately he is also a crop raider. The impact of the damage on a farmers crop can be devastating for the farmer's family. Farmers will often take matters into their own hands and attack the elephant with poison spears. Although Tim has survived this long without being seriously injured he has been speared and attached by farmers in the past. This sometimes can keep the Big Life mobile unit up all night monitoring Tim when he roams into a private conservation or a farm.
According to Nkurude, "with tusks weighing 120 kilos (265 lb.) Tim is the last remaining elephant bull who carries enormous Ivory Tusks that touch the ground. He is the last of his kind in Kenya and possible in Africa.”
2 Comments
Sep 2, 2017, 6:58:03 AM
James Hamilton-Bird - You have amazed me with these shot's of Tim, it's heart breaking to know that poachers only want to destroy all this intelligent creatures for the ivory.
Apr 14, 2017, 9:59:05 PM
Carlos guzman - Thank you Brave Men for protecting God's creation.