Wildlife Works is sparing no expense to care for the health of the surviving ranger, and to support both families through this tragedy. However some friends of Wildlife Works have expressed a desire to make their own direct contribution to the two families, and such an outpouring of emotional and financial support is deeply touching so we have launched this page to allow that to happen. Wildlife Works will pass on all donations exactly as we receive them. Thank you from the families of the two heroes, and from the bottom of our hearts.

Donations will be collected until Valentine's Day, 14 February 2012. Your donations and messages will be personally delivered to the families in March by the VP of African Operations, Rob Dodson, who has been overseeing Ijema and both families' recovery.

To donate:

1. Credit Card or Pay Pal: Click "Donate". You can pay with any major credit card if even without a PayPal account. Click the "update total" button after you enter the donation amount.

2. You can also send money through international money orders which can be processed at your nearest post office. Please send then to:
Wildlife Works c/o Mike Korchinsky
242 Redwood Highway - Frontage Road
Mill Valley, CA 94941
For more information on money orders through the post, follow this link for UK and this link for the U.S.

3. For Kenyan residents, you can transfer your donation through MPesa to 0707 172941.

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Update - 31 January 2012

Ijema was discharged from the hospital last week and for the first time since the surgery, Ijema is showing no signs of fever. This is fantastic news as the antibiotics are fighting an infection that started. In fact, Ijema actually felt strong enough to go and do a bit of shopping himself in the local town of Voi and pick up some bits and bobs. He has been overwhelmed by the amount of visitors he has received, which despite meaning well has kept him pretty busy while trying to rest and recover in between. He is looking a lot better and doctors seem pleased with the progress so far, but everyone knows its going to be a long process.

Update - 23 January 2012:

Two of the gang of three elephant poachers were arrested in Makinnon Road on Sunday afternoon, 15 January. One of the two arrested men led our rangers and the Kenyan Police to the place where the rifle and ammunition had been buried. The rifle was wrapped in a pair of trousers and buried under a bush on Taita Ranch, which must have been the route the poachers took to exit the sanctuary after the fatal contact. We believe this is the rifle that shot at our rangers two days ago because it was recently fired and kept in very good condition. One suspect is now being prosecuted for murder in the high courts at Mombasa.

As we continue our investigation, we are happy to report that Ijema, the injured Wildlife Works ranger, is comfortable, eating well, and recovering. He had a successful operation and the doctor said he will get quite a lot of movement back even with the plastic joint. If it all goes well in 6 months to a year, there will be enough stable bone to graft a metal prosthesis.

In the aftermath and as we move forward, our VP of African Operations, Rob Dodson, would like to thank all of the Wildlife Works staff in Kenya for the countless hours they are putting in to ensure that justice is being served and the community remains safe and secure. He would also like to thank Eric, who led the operation to find the buried weapon, along with his team – Elem, Moses, Eregai and the rest of the rangers.

“This appalling and heart wrenching incident underscores the real threat to the community and wildlife of this region. As long as an illegal market for ivory remains, they are in grave danger, so we will continue to support brave Kenyans in their struggle to protect their local environment. We will never forget the sacrifice that Abdullahi Mohammed, Ijema Funan and their families made today in the name of wildlife conservation.” – Mike Korchinsky, founder and CEO of Wildlife Works.

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Thank you all for your support.