Baye Pigors for Saving Wild Unsung Heroes

Unsung Conservation Heroes, my most recent feature for Africa Geographic Magazine, highlights 15 amazing and dedicated people working – mostly unrecognized – to protect and save Africa’s wildlife.

 

Whether they are working out in the field, rehabilitating orphaned or injured animals, educating communities or visitors, saving lives, or conducting important research, all of these conservationists have a passion for protecting the environment and the wild beings that call it home.

 

The goal of this gallery is to highlight some of those African conservation heroes who don’t always get the recognition they deserve.

 

People like Mishak Nzimbi who for the past 26 years has parented and bottle fed 180 orphaned baby elephants at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust before releasing them back into the wild.

 

And Maria Diekmann in Namibia whose organization, the Rare and Endangered Species Trust, focuses on vultures (whose numbers are declining due to poacher’s poison) and pangolins (the most illegally trafficked animal on the planet).

 

Or Peter Esogon, the caregiver at Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Rhino Conservancy, in charge of protecting the last three remaining northern white rhinos in the world.

 

And Tlangelani Nkwinika, one of an all female group of rangers – the Black Mambas – patrolling and protecting parts of Kruger, South Africa’s largest and best known park, from poachers.

 

 

Or Joseph Letunyoi, a Maasai who bucked his pastoral traditions to start the Laikipia Permaculture Center.

 

Baye Pigors for Saving Wild Unsung Conservation Heroes
Baye Pigors. Photo from Adam Jones.

 

Most of these people had a love for animals or wildness from an early age. But often these conservationists had no formal training as is the case of Baye Pigors who in 2014 at the age of 22 started Zimbabwe’s only rescue, rehabilitation and release sanctuary for primates.

 

Open the link to view all of their stories. 

 

I think you will find the pride and devotion of these unsung conservation heroes infectious.

 

Saving Wild,

Lori Robinson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13 Replies to “Africa’s Unsung Conservation Heroes”

  1. I really like it thank you so much for considering us inthe magazine, i also learnt about many other heroes inthe continent.

    Very good, well done look forward to meet you one day Lori.

  2. Your piece is fabulous! Congratulations. The photos and the writing and the overall idea of the piece is great. Seriously. Fabulous work. I shared it on FB- my main social media.

  3. It was a terrific piece for Africa Geographic! You covered SO many unsung heroes from all over Africa. It’s great to read and learn about them all. That publication has a HUGE readership. Thanks for all the work that you put into it.

  5. Lori. Thank you for sharing a window into the lives of these wonderful conservationists and the outstanding work they are doing to secure a future for our wild world… You articles are always very informative and uplifting. Thank you for your passion and commitment in bringing these great stories 🙂

  6. You are doing amazing things
    I was born in Africa and miss it- and know how beautiful the country is…Especially with all the wild life and cant bare to see-know what we as humans have done and doing by ruining and hurting…animals
    This week my second children’s book that i wrote is about African and Asian elephants…one of my favourite animals…if and when the book will be successful…and maybe worth translating – i will donate with all my love…and respect…towards your amazing good deeds and work!!
    Keep up the good work…the children’s book is called “The Connection Bridge”

  7. Thank you everyone for your comments. I am so glad you are liking the unsung hero article. I love highlighting amazing people doing great things for our planet and the beings we share it with.
    Belinda, Your book sounds amazing. Will it be in English. I love doing reviews of wildlife related books on my site so keep me in mind.

  9. Well done! I especially liked the last part about how many “unsung heros” are out there that don’t get any recognition, yet provide so much assistance and share the passions of many well known conservationists. I’d be interested to know how you picked who you picked… Must have been difficult because there are so many!

  10. Thank you very much. Indeed this is a big recognition and promotion for my work.
    kindly
    Alemayehu

  13. It’s truly heartwarming to read about these heroes… and you have done a magnificent job of highlighting just what they have accomplished!

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