Space for Giants

Being a #WildlifeRanger is a demanding job that requires dedication and physical endurance. Rangers often spend many hours a day outdoors, on day and night patrols, that can last for days, navigating challenging terrains and diverse landscapes. To ensure their safety and well-being, rangers need to have and maintain peak physical fitness. In addition to their outdoor responsibilities, Wildlife Rangers may also engage in law enforcement activities that can be physically demanding and hazardous. The ability of Wildlife Rangers to effectively carry out these tasks plays a crucial role in safeguarding both personal and public safety as well as their essential role of protecting #wildlife. In #AlUla, where 162 Wildlife Rangers help protect The Royal Commission for AlUla six #NatureReserves, covering 12,000 sq. km, #RCU has instigated a year-long comprehensive Ranger training program, in partnership with Space for Giants. Whilst the level of threat in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the law enforcement abilities of Rangers is lower than many other parts of the world, threats do remain. That coupled with the sometimes brutal climate and vastness of the deserts and volcanic rocky terrain means that for AlUla's Wildlife Ranger physical and mental fitness is vitally important. This is why SfG are putting our Rangers through a rigorous training regime, to build and start maintaining the fitness that is so essential to the job. Well done to all the RCU Rangers who have so far embraced the challenge and to Peter Newland and Keith Roberts from SfG for sharing their combined decades of experience and enthusiasm. #Wildlife #Conservation #Rangers #Safety #LawEnforcement #PhysicalFitness

My colleague ALI ALENEZI recently shared stunning photos from Sharaan Nature Reserve, showcasing the impactful work being done there. The Royal Commission for AlUla is dedicated to the #ComprehensiveRegeneration of AlUla, including its vast 12,500 sq km of protected areas. Through collaborations with partners like IUCN, PANTHERA, Space for Giants and others, significant progress is evident. The results are remarkable: - Reintroduced native species are thriving and in excellent condition. - Breeding of reintroduced animals occurring. - Recovery of native plants due to reduced grazing. - Animals are increasing with reduced hunting. The commitment to conservation and restoration in Sharaan is truly making a difference. #AlUla #ConservationEfforts #NatureRestoration #reintroduction #biodiversity #rewilding

Conservation News 🗞 🐘 🌍 The last elephant in South Africa’s national zoo has been released back into the wild after 40 years of captivity. Charlie, the elephant, was captured in 1984 in Zimbabwe’s Hwange national park when he was two years old. He was taken to Boswell Wilkie Circus in South Africa and trained to perform tricks. In the early 2000s, he was transferred to the country’s national zoo. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eQK9zFPG. #elephants #conservation #wildlife #SouthAfrica #Africa #wildlife #nationalparks #habitat

Elephants at the Crossroads: My Journey with Space for Giants Growing up in Kenya, I've witnessed firsthand the dramatic transformation of the landscapes I once knew. If life had taken a different path, I would have dedicated myself entirely to conservation, a passion fueled by observing the relentless encroachment of human activity into natural habitats. This deep connection drew me to Space for Giants, an organization whose approach to harmonizing human development with wildlife preservation resonated with me profoundly. In Max Graham, the founder of Space for Giants, I found not just an advocate but a visionary. Max combines passion with practicality and intellect with action. His relentless drive mirrors my own aspirations for Africa's wildlife. Through Space for Giants, I've seen how strategic conservation efforts can yield tangible results, like significantly reducing human-elephant conflicts through innovative fencing solutions. However, the battle for conservation is ever-evolving. The goalposts shift with each environmental challenge, whether climate change or population growth. But witnessing the palpable impact of Max and his team's work has been nothing short of inspiring. Their success in reducing crop raids and protecting both elephants and human livelihoods shows that with the right approach, coexistence is possible. How Can We All Help? The work of Space for Giants needs to echo beyond the savannahs and into the global consciousness. Here's how we can contribute: Awareness: Sharing the stories and successes of conservation efforts like those of Space for Giants helps build a global community aware of these issues. Social media, blogs, or even casual conversations can spread the word. Support: Whether it's through donations, volunteering, or supporting policies that favor wildlife conservation, every bit of support counts. Financial contributions help fund innovative projects like the Green 14 initiative, which not only aids in conservation but also in climate action. Technology and Innovation: As someone at the forefront of AI technology, I see immense potential in leveraging AI to aid conservation. From predictive analytics for poaching activities to optimizing resource distribution for wildlife, AI can revolutionize how we approach conservation challenges. Advocacy: Engaging with policymakers to ensure that conservation efforts are supported by legislation can create a lasting impact. Encouraging sustainable practices in development projects near wildlife habitats is crucial. This journey with Space for Giants isn't just about saving elephants; it's about preserving a part of the world that has shaped who I am. It's about ensuring that future generations can witness the majesty of elephants roaming free, not as a memory, but as a living, thriving reality. Together, with the right support and technology, we can ensure that Africa's giants continue to have space to roam.

This month, in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Service, the Space for Giants team collared three bull elephants in Laikipia. This collaring initiative, part of an ongoing effort to mitigate human-elephant conflict, allows for real-time tracking of elephant movements using geographic positioning systems (GPS) technology on EarthRanger. These insights are critical for understanding and managing crop-raiding elephants' behaviors and helping reduce the damage they cause to local farms. This operation focused on three elephants—Naishu, Nchoro, and Njorai—with two newly collared and one re-collared male whose battery was running low. Laikipia County, home to 42 percent of Kenya's second-largest elephant population, is a hotspot for human-elephant conflict. Space for Giants, together with the Laikipia County Government and other partners, has constructed over 90 miles (150 kilometers) of electric fences and geofences to protect crops and increase food security for local populations. Despite these efforts, elephants continue to breach the fences, which can result in severe human-elephant conflicts. These encounters can be deadly, with human and elephant lives at stake. The recent collaring is a key part of Space for Giant’s broader strategy to foster coexistence between elephants and the communities. Please help us in our mission to foster coexistence by clicking the link below to support: https://lnkd.in/e5NEZSKw #coexistence #communities #elephants #Laikipia #Kenya #Africa #elephants #wildlife #conservation #geofences #humanelephantconflict #EarthRanger #technology #endangeredspecies #data #collaring #GPS

Being a #WildlifeRanger is a demanding job that requires dedication and physical endurance. Rangers often spend many hours a day outdoors, on day and night patrols, that can last for days, navigating challenging terrains and diverse landscapes. To ensure their safety and well-being, rangers need to have and maintain peak physical fitness. In addition to their outdoor responsibilities, Wildlife Rangers may also engage in law enforcement activities that can be physically demanding and hazardous. The ability of Wildlife Rangers to effectively carry out these tasks plays a crucial role in safeguarding both personal and public safety as well as their essential role of protecting #wildlife. In #AlUla, where 162 Wildlife Rangers help protect The Royal Commission for AlUla six #NatureReserves, covering 12,000 sq. km, #RCU has instigated a year-long comprehensive Ranger training program, in partnership with Space for Giants. Whilst the level of threat in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the law enforcement abilities of Rangers is lower than many other parts of the world, threats do remain. That coupled with the sometimes brutal climate and vastness of the deserts and volcanic rocky terrain means that for AlUla's Wildlife Ranger physical and mental fitness is vitally important. This is why SfG are putting our Rangers through a rigorous training regime, to build and start maintaining the fitness that is so essential to the job. Well done to all the RCU Rangers who have so far embraced the challenge and to Peter Newland and Keith Roberts from SfG for sharing their combined decades of experience and enthusiasm. #Wildlife #Conservation #Rangers #Safety #LawEnforcement #PhysicalFitness

Stay connected and keep informed on the progress of our mission. Sign up for our mailing list to receive the latest updates on how your support is making a difference, inspiring stories from the field, and exclusive insights into our conservation efforts. Don't miss out on the opportunity to be part of this incredible journey. By joining our mailing list, you’ll be the first to know about upcoming campaigns, events, and ways you can continue to help protect elephant habitats and promote coexistence. 👉 Link below: https://lnkd.in/dpQcyKz5 Together, we can create a brighter future for elephants and the ecosystems they support. 📸 Sam Stogdale #conservationnews #HumanElephantCoexistence #SpaceForGiants #ProtectWildlife #SustainableFuture #wildlife #habitats #elephants #endangeredspecies

Part of The Royal Commission for AlUla commitment to the #comprehensiveregeneration of AlUla is establishing a functioning protected area network. Currently, 50% of #AlUla, approximately 12,500 km² is designated as protected areas, with plans to increase that to 20,000 km². To ensure successful management of these protected areas and reduce threats, having a well-functioning and well-trained Wildlife Ranger team is essential. In partnership with RCU, Space for Giants, has initiated a detailed year-long Wildlife Ranger training program across AlUla’s six nature reserves. Building on training from partners like PANTHERA, IUCN and College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka, the first item on the SfG training program was a comprehensive off-road driving training session. To build on local rangers' extensive experience in the desert, we are leveraging international best practices to maintain health, safety and efficiency based on global knowledge and experience. The commitment and willingness of AlUla's Wildlife Rangers to learn and share experiences have been remarkable. Future trainings will encompass various aspects, including fitness, medical training, effective communication, evidence collection and biodiversity monitoring, amongst many others. Stay tuned for more updates on upcoming training sessions! 🌿🦒🐾 #AlUla #WildlifeProtection #RangerTraining Keith Roberts Maurice Schutgens and Pete Newland

We are hiring︱Conservation Monitoring Officer︱Nanyuki, Kenya We're looking for a passionate Conservation Monitoring Officer. In this role, you’ll play a central part in Space for Giants’ work, supporting our monitoring initiatives. Your work will help us evaluate our conservation programs' impact and provide critical research data across all the countries we operate in. Please click on the link below to apply: https://lnkd.in/d9kZEcav #conservationjobs #conservationmonitoring #jobs #Africa #Nanyuki #Kenya  

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported our mission to protect elephant habitats and promote coexistence this World Elephant Day. 🎉🐘 Thanks to your past incredible support, we have: 1️⃣ Our work in Laikipia supports 20 % of the elephant population in Kenya. 2️⃣ Prevented 72 crop raids in 2023 alone. 3️⃣ Facilitated coexistence through data from 8 collared elephants. Your contributions have made these achievements possible; we couldn't have done it without you. There's still time to make a difference for those who haven't yet. Your gift ensures ongoing support for our vital programs, helping to protect even more elephants and support the communities that share their land. Don't miss out on being part of this impactful journey. Please click the link below to support us. 🙏https://lnkd.in/d3Wqs4MD #WorldElephantDay #HumanElephantCoexistence #SpaceForGiants #ProtectWildlife #SustainableFuture #elephants