NEWS RELEASE

Ol Pejeta Announces Award-Winning Photographer Ami Vitale as Global Ambassador

November 17, 2021 - Ol Pejeta Conservancy announces world-renowned photojournalist Ami Vitale as its Global Ambassador. The award-winning photographer, filmmaker, educator, and speaker has been a friend of the conservancy for over a decade capturing the story of the world’s last northern white rhinos located at the world-famous conservancy.

Ami is a six-time recipient of the World Press Photos awards. Her photographs have featured in nearly every major international publication and have also been exhibited around the world in museums and galleries.

In 2009, after shooting a powerful story on the relocation of the last northern white rhinos in the world to Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, Ami shifted her focus to today’s most compelling wildlife and environmental stories. The iconic image of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino on earth with Joseph Wachira, a caretaker at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, won the photo of the decade award. It was featured on the cover of National Geographic in October 2019. When Ami said goodbye to Sudan, she thought she was documenting the end of a species. However, in a twist of fate, the image of Joseph Wachira saying goodbye to Sudan, an image documenting extinction was also the beginning of pioneering work with the northern white rhino recovery program.

Ami’s role as a Global Ambassador for Ol Pejeta is an authentic extension of her remarkable contribution to conservation. This announcement has come at a very important time when the leaders from across the globe at COP26 discuss and make commitments for the future of the planet. Ol Pejeta symbolises that ray of ‘hope’ through the continuation of its significant work in conserving natural habitats, endangered species, and community outreach programs. Ami will help raise awareness and nurture support for the incredible work that is being carried out.

“I am humbled to have been asked to be Ol Pejeta’s Global Ambassador.” said Ami Vitale. “I’m really looking forward to raising awareness of the extraordinary work that Ol Pejeta does to conserve wildlife and the overall biodiversity while improving the livelihoods of rural communities.

Commenting on the announcement, Richard Vigne, Ol Pejeta’s Managing Director said:“We are honoured to have Ami Vitale officially join the family to help raise the awareness of our work at Ol Pejeta.  We have known Ami for some time and her great ability to tell the story through her photography has already made a great impact on our conservation efforts. We’re looking forward to how Ami will further elevate our story.”

 –END –

NOTES TO EDITORS

Media Package

A collection of photographs and videos can be accessed through this media package. The photographs shall only be used in direct connection with the story depicted in this press release and are to be credited as indicated.

- - -
Boilerplates

Ol Pejeta Conservancy
www.olpejetaconservancy.org
Ol Pejeta is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East and Central Africa, and home to the last two remaining northern white rhinos on the planet. It is the only place in Kenya to see chimpanzees, in a Sanctuary established to rehabilitate animals rescued from the black market. It has some of the highest predator densities in Kenya, and still manages a very successful livestock programme. Ol Pejeta also seeks to support the people living around its borders, to ensure wildlife conservation translates to better education, healthcare and infrastructure for the next generation of wildlife guardians. Now more than ever, wildlife conservation is inextricably linked with the livelihoods of local communities. Ol Pejeta seeks to support the people living around its borders, to ensure wildlife conservation translates to better education, healthcare and infrastructure for the next generation of wildlife guardians.

Contact

Roxanne Mungai
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Deputy Fundraising & Communications Manager
+254 / 706 475737
roxanne.mungai@olpejetaconservancy.org