Save the Amboseli Ecosystem

Elephant in Amboseli with Mt Kilimanjaro in the background © Usha Harish

For anyone who has visited the Amboseli National Park, it is unimaginable that such an iconic landscape, with spectacular views of gentle elephants with the backdrop of Mt Kilimanjaro, could be put at risk for a green fruit – avocados. At stake is the water, the habitats, wildlife, tourism (Amboseli is Kenya’s premier national Park), elephants, climate, the future of pastoralism and of course the well being of the local people. Kenya’s hard-earned conservation reputation will be in tatters. This appeal is dedicated in memory of Tim, one of the most famous elephants in Africa who died of natural causes in Amboseli a year ago. The Amboseli National Park and its corridors are currently threatened by the establishment of a commercial avocado farm by KiliAvo Fresh Limited who have acquired 180 acres in the wildlife corridors. This recent development in the sensitive semi-arid environment will endanger water sources and critical habitat for elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, gazelles and wildebeest. In March, however, we witnessed a breakthrough for elephants– a judge issued a stop order to cease all activities at the avocado farm. The next hearing will be held on April 25-26. Thank you to all those who have made a contribution towards this campaign to date, and we hope that you will continue to support this vital work to secure elephant landscapes by supporting the communities that occupy these lands so that they do not sell them to big agricultural firms. Please share this appeal with your family and friends and join us in the journey to secure buffer zones and dispersal areas for these iconic giants.

Join the campaign by signing up here.

Acres of land being prepared for cultivating avocados by KiliAvo Fresh Limited © Big Life Foundation

Elephants in the Amboseli Ecosystem with Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background © Kathy Karn Photography