These two brothers fly in a helicopter over the savannah to save animals from poaching in Kenya

In the heart of Kenya, between boundless prairies and extreme conditions, Roan Carr-Hartley’s helicopter has become an instrument of salvation. Together with his brother Taru, Roan represents the third generation at the helm of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a historic environmental conservation organization founded by his grandmother Daphne Sheldrick. Every day the two brothers fly over remote territories, ready to intervene to protect wildlife and local communities.

The fight against poaching

But the Carr-Hartley brothers’ work goes far beyond individual rescues. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust works with the Kenya Wildlife Service to combat poaching, monitor injured animals and prevent illegal activities such as illegal grazing and logging. In 2022 alone, the team flew for more than 2,500 hours, covering more than 347,000 kilometers, a distance equivalent to circumnavigating the Earth multiple times.

Thanks to these coordinated efforts, Kenya has seen a collapse in elephant poaching, with a reduction of more than 96% compared to the peak in previous years. Ground patrols covered tens of thousands of kilometers, making arrests, removing traps and seizing weapons. The elephant population has started to grow again, marking a rare success in protecting African biodiversity.

The new challenges of climate change

Despite progress, threats remain. Prolonged drought and extreme weather phenomena are putting animals and people in difficulty, increasing conflicts between humans and wildlife. In this scenario, the role of the trust becomes even more crucial, including emergency interventions, veterinary care and mediation with communities.

For Roan and Taru, conservation is a lifestyle choice. Raised among orphaned elephants and wild landscapes, they continue to fly with a clear objective: to create a concrete impact, even small, but daily. A commitment that combines nature protection, humanitarian aid and hope for future generations.

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