Lewa Wildlife Conservancy's head of anti-poaching unit, Edward Nderitu./HANDOUT
As the global community commemorates World Ranger Day today, one figure stands out: Edward Nderitu, head of the anti-poaching unit at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. The conservancy has lauded Nderitu's exceptional work in the lead-up to the day.
“He (Nderitu) joined Lewa in around 1997 as a rhino monitor, at a time when Kenya’s black rhino population had plummeted from 20,000 to fewer than 300. He has been promoted through the ranks; he became Head of Anti-Poaching in 2012, overseeing security operations across Lewa,” the conservancy stated.
Nderitu is a distinguished member of the Kenya Wildlife Rangers Association board and holds a position on the Game Ranger Association of Africa Leadership Council.
In these roles, his primary duty is to guide organisations that support rangers' welfare across Africa. He leads a highly trained unit of armed rangers safeguarding over 60,000 acres of vital wildlife habitat.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Nderitu was honoured with the inaugural Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award by Prince William in 2015, acknowledging his leadership, bravery and unwavering commitment to wildlife and community security.
Beyond his direct conservation work, Nderitu is an active advocate for ranger welfare. He participated in the 2024 London Marathon to raise funds for rangers and is currently preparing for Namibia's challenging seven-day, 250 km desert ultramarathon.
He is set to host the African Rangers Congress 2025 at Lewa this September. The conservancy has achieved a remarkable milestone.
“Under his stewardship, no rhino or elephant has been poached in Lewa since around 2020, thanks to coordinated intelligence operations and community trust building.”
In addition to protecting iconic species, Nderitu has been actively involved in several rescue and evacuation missions within local communities, including flood relief efforts.
Lewa itself operates on a community-centred conservation model, investing in local education, healthcare, micro-enterprises, and water projects, thereby forging a strong alliance between conservation objectives and community well-being.
The conservancy has also adopted cutting-edge tools and platforms, integrating cameras, sensors, and intelligence to facilitate early threat detection.
Nderitu believes that people are at the heart of conservation, stating that communities serve as the first line of defence against wildlife crime.
Often working behind the scenes, rangers are at the core of a transformation in conservation—supporting both people and nature in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Rangers are deeply rooted in the communities they serve. They are not only stewards of nature but also frontline responders in times of crisis.
Rangers have served as first responders, climate educators, and guardians of the natural world. Their actions are helping shape how we adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The diverse roles of rangers extend from wildlife and forest protection, law enforcement, environmental education, and community engagement to fire management, disease prevention, and sustainable resource use.
However, this vital work comes at a cost. Tragically, this year has seen a global increase in the number of rangers killed in the line of duty, with the largest rise in deaths caused by fires.
Despite these risks, rangers continue to stand between communities and the growing impacts of a changing climate. World Ranger Day recognises their courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the planet.
