Archive for March, 2016

Watchmen 20

March 30th, 2016 by Tierney Farrell

Last year, I had the opportunity to work alongside a phenomenal crew on a film that documented men on either side of the poaching crisis in Africa.  While the crew ventured into the ominous territory of poachers and ivory traders, I spent my time learning about the men that offer their loyalty and protection to the magnificent animals on the blade of extinction. I created a portrait series, Watchmen 20, which paints a glimpse of these rare animals and their protectors. Although there is no tangible object that can capture raw conflict and emotion, I hope that the photos help to transport viewers’ minds across the globe where this crisis is a daily reality.  I designed and self-published a book of this series, which has found a home on many coffee tables of those who share our passion.

A caretaker at Ol Pejeta standing with Najin, one of the last female northern white rhinos, and Tauwo, a southern white rhino.
Peter Esogon and Sudan
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The KPR team at Ol Pejeta has a canine unit with highly trained handlers that work with assault, search and sniffer dogs.
Nderu Loormunyei
Big Life Foundation
Ranger in the Lenkilorouti outpost at Big Life Foundation.
Today, Justus is one of Big Life Foundation's finest wildlife rangers.  As a former poacher, he has exceptional tracking skills and unmatched knowledge of rhinos and the rhino areas..  He is in charge of all monitoring and works between all outposts.
Inside one of the sleep quarters, the two prepare for patrol.  While Justus is James' boss, the two are very close friends.
Big Life Foundation
Judah Mwema
Joseph has worked at Big Life Foundation since he was 16 years old.  Over the years, he has moved up in the ranks and is now the Rhino Section Commander.  He is in charge of nine different outposts within the rhino area and travels frequently between them.
Caretaker for the rhinos at Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Sergeant, Johanna Shakarda, is a very knowledgeable rhino scout with the Lenkilorouti outpost at Big Life Foundation.
Kiunga Lenkilase
While on a poaching hunt with his father when Justus Nzioki was just 15 years old, his father was charged by a rhino and later died from the injuries.  Justus climbed in a tree for safety.
Big Life Foundation
Mohammed Doyo
Ol Pejeta Canine Unit
A highly trained dog handler, John Tekeles, with the Belgian Malinois attack dogs at Ol Pejeta.
Sudan, the last male northern white rhino in the world, with one of his caretakers, Jacob Anampiu. Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Caretakers and rangers at Ol Pejeta enjoy tea by the fire after the day shift.
KPR Ranger, Paul Njogu, stands with assault dog, Madison at Ol Pejeta.  In 2015, Madison was donated to Mokomanzi conservancy in Tanzania after one of their dogs died from a snake bite.
Ol Pejeta KPR Unit Patrol
Ol Pejeta has dedicated 24/7 armed security to ensure the safety of the wildlife on the conservancy, especially the last northern white rhinos like Sudan.
Rhino caretaker at Ol Pejeta.
Sudan with Caretakers
Extinction is forever.