Big Life Foundation Sinya Galleries
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Introducing Sinya
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Day operations
A compelling account of ‘Day Operations,’ in Big Life Foundation’s Sinya unit, including action and daily manoeuvres, close interaction with the local Masai communities, inside work, communications and the daily struggles and successes that Sinya Unit faces and a look into Campe Ya Sinya’s continuous fight against those that walk the fine line between supporting anti poaching and the lure of poacher’s money.
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Night operations
Bring a whole new prospective to the struggle against poaching. Spending time with the Sinya unit whilst on night operations illustrated their true commitment and courage. Senses are heightened and skill and shrewdness are vital. The conditions and circumstances are totally different to those of Day Operations and often far more precarious. This brings home a distinct & stirring account of ‘Campe ya Sinya’s anti poaching efforts & commitment.
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All Elephants in Sinya smile
I feel that arousing human interest by portraying the poignant and vivid qualities to Sinya is vital in sparking international interest and support. I was struck at how all the elephants seemed to smile! Their ease and contentment a reflection of the protection BLF has provided. The elephants were spirited yet not overly aggressive. Big Life Foundation has made a significant difference to Sinya’s elephant survival rate and their quality of life. This is in direct contrast to some other regions in East Africa were elephants are sadly diminishing into islands of small and tusk-less groups i.e the Selous.
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Baby boom in August
We had the luck of watching a giraffe give birth. Please note a large telephoto lens was used to take these photographs. The female giving birth was not harassed in any way. Immediately after giving birth the mother stood back a ways and we all held our breath as the new born lay lifeless. Very quickly an old female giraffe (who was with the herd of approximately 10 giraffes who had all watched the birth) approached the baby, still partly in it’s sack. The mother giraffe then approached the baby and licked it clean. We observed this on foot, under the cover of thick bush. Within minutes the newly born was standing and we left the group in peace.
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Sinya Rangers and the Community
In depth look at the attitude of the people of Sinya to Big Life and it’s anti poaching program. Many of Big Life’s rangers have been hand picked from the local communities. Increasing job opportunities, the communities’ commitment, awareness and respect for BLF.
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Livestock Water Wells – Sustaining all Life
The Masai’s giant livestock wells sustain both livestock, and wild animals during the drought seasons. During an in depth interview with Chief Olnjoro Loloopita (who excavated the largest livestock well in Sinya) he gave remarkable insight into his and fellow Masai’s opinions on poaching, livestock, and surprising facts about Sinya’s wildlife population 20/30 years ago! There is genuine harmony between man & wildlife in Sinya.
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Meerschum Mines water Sourse
Another example of harmony between man & wildlife are the Meerschum Mines. Situated in the Sinya Beds of the Amboseli Basin in Tanzania and Kenya it consists largely of carbonate rocks and a lake basin at the foot of Kilimanjaro. Mining started in 1983 but when it was commercially abandoned, the water filled mines became a reliable water source. Every dawn & dusk livestock & wildlife gather to drink having, it seems, long decided who drinks from which bank!
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Sinya Kopje Folk story
Grand old chief Olenairrowa Sakita narrated a story about Sinya’s giant Kopjes and a strange ’ostrich man’ that many years ago used an ostrich disguise to outwit the local Masai community of its cattle. In great length he explained how the Masai eventually outsmarted him! During his story telling we struck up a friendship. The following morning I paid him another visit. Sitting in the shade of his prominent hut we chatted, gently teasing him over his decision to have his youngest wife shave his head. He believed his white hair made him look far too old in my photographs! I was truly humbled meeting this wonderful man.
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Sinya’s Future – A portraits of its children
Portraits of Masai children. They are Sinya’s hope and future. Some may well join anti poaching efforts or at the very least grow up with a refreshing new outlook towards wildlife preservation.
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