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.

Kiunga was recruited as a ranger to Big Life Foundation in 2014.

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.

Sergeant, Johanna Shakarda, is a very knowledgeable rhino scout with the Lenkilorouti outpost at Big Life Foundation.

Sudan, the last male northern white rhino in the world, with one of his caretakers, Jacob Anampiu. Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Ranger in the Lenkilorouti outpost at Big Life Foundation.

A former poacher of bushmeat, Judah is now a ranger with Big Life Foundation.

Nderu is a Senior Sergeant and has worked with Big Life Foundation for 25 years. He is one of the four original rangers employed in 1990.

Big Life Foundation

Despite his father’s death, Justus has dedicated his life to protecting the species that took his father’s life. Rhinos are now a source of life for Justus and his family. “Rhinos are my friends, I’m proud to be a rhino ranger. I love them a lot.”

Big Life Foundation

A caretaker at Ol Pejeta standing with Najin, one of the last female northern white rhinos, and Tauwo, a southern white rhino.

Big Life Foundation ranger.

Judah looking out over Chyulu Hills, the area that his outpost is responsible for monitoring.

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.

“I want my family to live a good life, especially my children in the future. I want them to know the importance of wildlife.” - James Ayaki, the youngest and newest ranger at the outpost at the time of this project.

Inside one of the sleep quarters, the two prepare for patrol. While Justus is James' boss, the two are very close friends.

There is no animal on earth like him.

Paul Njogu is a part of the Kenya Police Reservist (KPR) protection squad. Rangers with this status are on the front line against poachers.

James has been a rhino caretaker at Ol Pejeta for four years.

Assistant Security Manager at Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

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.

Big Life Foundation

Jacob is one of Sudan's full time caretakers at Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Rhino caretaker at Ol Pejeta.

Caretakers and rangers at Ol Pejeta enjoy tea by the fire after the day shift.

Rhino caretaker at Ol Pejeta.

A highly trained dog handler, John Tekeles, with the Belgian Malinois attack dogs at Ol Pejeta.

Elephants safely graze on the protected lands in Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

The KPR team at Ol Pejeta has a canine unit with highly trained handlers that work with assault, search and sniffer dogs.

After going through paramilitary training, KPR rangers are permitted to carry government-authorized guns.

The KPR team focuses on wildlife protection but also assist local communities and police with human/wildlife conflicts.

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

Ol Pejeta has built a positive reputation in local communities because of their efficient security teams and good morale.

If necessary, government-authorized firearms are used to take down poachers.

One of the best Bloodhound sniffer dogs at Ol Pejeta.

“There’s that thing in your heart, in your soul, in your blood... that makes you tremble. What makes you tremble when killing a big animal? To me it’s something which is not good. It’s as if you are killing a human being. They have blood like you.” - Justus Nzioki, former poacher, is now one of Big Life’s finest rangers.

Ol Pejeta attack dog, Madison, demonstrates her speed and strength taking down a ranger during a practice run.

Rhino caretaker at Ol Pejeta.

Extinction is forever.

A cold picture of what is to come if rampant poaching does not seize.