Protecting Upemba: Conservation Efforts Endure After Tragic Losses

Not all ranger deaths make headlines. Many rangers lose their lives through accidents, illness, dangerous working conditions, and encounters with wildlife while carrying out the everyday work of conservation. These hidden dangers leave families facing heartbreak, uncertainty, and financial hardship long after the patrol ends.

Rangers stand between our natural world and those who seek to harm it. Every year, around 150 rangers lose their lives protecting wildlife and wild places - many killed in acts of violence while serving on the frontline of conservation. Behind every fallen ranger is a grieving family left to rebuild after unimaginable loss.

When a ranger dies, the impact reaches far beyond the immediate loss. Families are left navigating grief, interrupted education, housing insecurity, and the loss of stable income. Through the Fallen Ranger Fund, Thin Green Line helps ranger families rebuild by supporting education, secure housing, and sustainable livelihoods.

Kaiyock was a dedicated ranger working in Kenya’s Shulmai Community Conservancy, helping protect elephants, lions, leopards, Grevy’s zebra, and countless other species through daily patrols alongside his team. Tragically, Kaiyock was killed during a violent attack while on patrol, leaving behind 11 dependents, including nine children. His story is a powerful reminder of the risks rangers face every day to protect wildlife and wild places - and of the devastating ripple effects these losses have on the families left behind. Through the Fallen Ranger Fund, Thin Green Line continues standing beside ranger families in the aftermath of unimaginable loss.

In the remote southeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Upemba National Park remains a vital refuge for endangered wildlife, despite years of conflict and neglect. Following a devastating rebel attack in March 2026 that claimed the lives of seven conservation staff, including rangers and a veterinarian, the park’s team continues its mission with unwavering resolve.

SARA is turning community energy into real impact, raising over $100,000 to support rangers around the world through the Thin Green Line. From fun runs to film screenings, their work is helping protect those on the frontline of conservation.

A deadly attack in Upemba National Park has claimed the lives of seven park staff. Thin Green Line is responding with urgent support. Find out how your donation can help families and frontline teams.

In South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, conservation isn’t just shaped by policies - it’s carried on the shoulders of rangers who patrol one of the continent’s most important wildlife landscapes. When abrupt funding cuts left ranger teams unable to carry out multi-day patrols, even the protection of iconic species suddenly hinged on something as basic as food.

Rangers in Mexico’s Sierra de Los Agustinos are protecting one of the country’s most important natural refuge - 200 square kilometres of forest that shelter bobcats, migrating Monarch butterflies, and over 100,000 people who rely on its water. Yet until recently, these dedicated rangers were patrolling without even the most basic equipment, facing forest fires, venomous snakes, and emergency callouts with little more than their determination.

In the forests of Borneo, orangutans and gibbons face growing threats from deforestation and the illegal wildlife trade. A small team of dedicated rangers patrol thousands of hectares to keep these iconic animals safe - often in extremely challenging conditions. Thanks to support from the Thin Green Line community, these frontline protectors have more of the resources they need to give Borneo's wildlife a fighting chance.

After more than 20 impactful years, Thin Green Line’s Founder Sean Willmore has decided to take on new challenges and opportunities outside of the Foundation. We thank him for his service, and wish him all the best in his next chapter.

In a moving personal letter, Sean Willmore, founder of The Thin Green Line Foundation, reflects on his 15-year friendship with Dr Jane Goodall - a relationship built on shared purpose, humour, and deep respect. From their first meeting at Melbourne Zoo to quiet moments of conversation and laughter, Sean recalls Jane’s unwavering support for rangers and her boundless compassion for people and nature alike. This heartfelt tribute celebrates Jane’s enduring spirit, her generosity, wit, and tireless dedication, and honours a life that continues to inspire hope in those protecting our planet’s wild places. “I miss you, I thank you, and I love you, Jane.”

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a bucket-list challenge, but for Murray Wilson, General Manager of the Thin Green Line, the journey was about more than just summiting Africa’s highest peak. Alongside fellow adventurers, he trekked through forests and icy altitudes, then witnessed the dedication of Maasai rangers protecting wildlife across Kenya through the LEAD Ranger program.

Over 150 rangers from 21 countries gathered in Kenya for the 3rd African Ranger Congress — uniting under the Lewa Call to Action for better welfare, standards, and recognition. Supported by Thin Green Line and our global community, this event amplified the voices of Africa’s frontline protectors.

At this year’s African Conservation Awards, the spotlight shone on the courage, skill, and dedication of rangers across the continent. Among the remarkable rangers recognised were some of Thin Green Line’s project partners, whose daily commitment to protecting wildlife and communities has now been acknowledged as setting a benchmark across Africa.

On World Ranger Day 2025, we honour 175 rangers who lost their lives in the past year across 42 countries. This year’s theme, Rangers: Powering Transformative Conservation, highlights how rangers are driving global change. On this day, we remember the fallen and celebrate the transformative power of those still standing on the frontlines.

Recent cuts to USAID funding have left global conservation efforts reeling. Once the world’s largest international development donor, the U.S. has slashed support for programs that protected wildlife, supported rangers, and empowered communities from Africa to the Pacific. Many organisations report losing all funding, with critical work like anti-poaching and habitat restoration grinding to a halt. Virunga National Park and Pacific Island nations are among the hardest hit. The message is clear: without renewed support, decades of conservation progress are at serious risk.

Each year, around 150 rangers lose their lives in the line of duty—defending wildlife, supporting communities, and standing between poachers and our planet’s most vulnerable species. In January, Serasi—a dedicated ranger from Sumatra—tragically lost his life after sustaining an injury while on patrol. He was just 45, and left behind a wife and four young children. Serasi’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the risks rangers face every day, and of the urgent need to keep them safe and support their families in times of loss.

LEAD Ranger is a groundbreaking train-the-trainer initiative that provides rangers with the skills and confidence to train their own peers in a long-term and sustainable way. It creates and nurtures leaders, and brings out the best in participants, including those with no formal education. LEAD goes beyond the standard ranger training of wildlife protection and patrolling techniques, teaching skills in critical first aid and community engagement. Importantly, it’s saving lives.

When we think of conservation, we often imagine bold actions or large-scale interventions. But sometimes, it’s the smallest things – a backpack, a hammock, a pair of boots – that quietly change everything. Thin Green Line has equipped rangers in some of the world’s most at-risk environments with the gear they need not just to survive, but to succeed.

We wholeheartedly believe in the power of engaging children in conservation. That belief led us to establish the Junior Ranger program – an initiative rooted in education, empowerment, and hope.

Indigenous women rangers are stepping into leadership, guided by mentors and strengthened by sisterhood. The Desert Women Rangers Leadership Trip provides a transformative space to build confidence and professional skills—equipping participants to lead on Country and shape the future of land and sea management.

Boniphace is a dedicated ranger helping to protect the landscapes and wildlife of Tanzania. In the first of our 'Meet a Ranger' series, hear what inspired Boniphace to become a ranger, the dangers of his work, and what keeps him motivated to protect nature.

Thin Green Line’s impact continues to grow globally, with strong support emerging from the USA. A major milestone was Patagonia’s generous donation of $2 million worth of uniforms for rangers, followed by keynote invitations and meaningful connections with One Percent for the Planet businesses. Despite challenges, the empathy and commitment from US partners and individuals have been inspiring—shining a light on the vital work of rangers worldwide.

In 2024 we conducted an independent review of the LEAD Ranger program to assess its broader impact and identify opportunities for improvement.

Across the world, rangers dedicate their lives to protecting nature. We asked them a simple yet profound question: "What is your wish for the world?"

In India’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, rangers work tirelessly to protect one of the world’s largest wild tiger populations. But freezing patrols, human-wildlife conflict, and limited resources made their critical work even more challenging. When rangers reached out for help, the Thin Green Line community responded—funding warm jackets, flashlights for night patrols, and snake rescue kits. These simple yet vital tools have empowered the team to safely deter poachers, relocate snakes from villages, and educate communities about living alongside wildlife. Thanks to your support, tiger deaths from poaching and poisoning have dropped by 98%—a powerful reminder that even the smallest acts can fuel big conservation wins.

**Radios, Raincoats & Real Impact in Zimbabwe** In the vast savannah of the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area, rangers face the daily threat of poachers with limited tools and no reliable way to communicate across borders. When Zimbabwean rangers reached out with a simple request—“We need 2-way radios!”—the Thin Green Line community stepped up. Thanks to your support, rangers now have radios, raincoats, tents, and new uniforms. With this gear, they’ve boosted their patrol efforts, dismantled over 50 deadly snares, and strengthened cross-border communication. Most importantly, they know they’re not alone in the fight to protect Africa’s iconic wildlife.

In Kenya’s Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, rangers are protecting one of the world’s most unique ecosystems—home to rare wildlife like the golden-rumped elephant shrew and Sokoke Scops owl. But even the most dedicated teams can’t do it alone. As the rainy season approached, rangers urgently needed basic gear—boots, uniforms, and camping equipment—to continue their patrols and remove deadly snares. Thanks to your support, Thin Green Line delivered. This isn’t just about gear—it’s about showing these rangers their work matters. With your help, they’re back on the frontlines, defending wildlife and safeguarding a forest that supports over 250,000 people.

For the first time since 2019, the world’s rangers came together for a week of networking, learning, and a renewed sense of global solidarity and connection.