Every day, our ranger teams walk out into the field before sunrise, carrying with them not just their equipment but a deep responsibility to protect the wildlife and landscapes that make Ol Pejeta what it is. This September, a group of our rangers are taking that dedication one step further, representing Ol Pejeta at the Wildlife Ranger Challenge.
What is the Wildlife Ranger Challenge?
The Wildlife Ranger Challenge started in 2020, set up in response to the Covid pandemic to help keep wildlife rangers in work through the crisis. It was backed by philanthropic funding that helped thousands of rangers carry on protecting millions of square kilometres of conservation areas across Africa during an incredibly difficult period.
What began as a response to a crisis has since become an annual event, bringing together rangers from across the continent in a shared show of solidarity and camaraderie. Every September, ranger teams from across Africa’s protected areas take part with one goal in mind: raising money for frontline conservation work.
The main event is a tough 21km race, with teams of four carrying 22kg packs, not far off the loads rangers often carry out on patrol. In the weeks before race day, teams work through a series of mini challenges to get ready, covering everything from a wildlife knowledge quiz to push-ups, sit-ups and a race time trial.
Rangers are so much more than protectors of wildlife. They are educators, community leaders and often the first responders when something goes wrong. The challenge exists to raise funds that go straight towards better equipment, better training and stronger support for the men and women doing this work day in, day out.
Our Team This Year
This year, Ol Pejeta is competing with a mixed team, bringing together rangers from across our conservancy to take on the challenge together, each bringing their own story to the team. Some grew up in the communities bordering Ol Pejeta and are following in the footsteps of parents who served as rangers before them. Others draw on backgrounds in athletics, football or other sports to bring fitness and discipline to the challenge. What unites them all is a shared commitment to protecting the wildlife and landscapes they patrol every day, often from before sunrise until long after dark.
Race Day
All of this builds towards the Wildlife Ranger Challenge race on 19th September, when our team will take on the full 21km course with their kit on their backs, alongside other ranger teams from across Kenya, all working towards the same finish line: a future where rangers get the recognition, resources and support they need to keep doing this vital work.
How You Can Help
The Wildlife Ranger Challenge is about far more than one race day. It is a chance to shine a light on the work rangers do and raise funds that genuinely improve their working lives, from equipment and training through to welfare support for their families. If you would like to support our team as they prepare for race day, you can donate through clicking on the link below.
Written By Sam Miller