News and Stories

For over a decade, the Cincinnati Zoo has supported the South Rift Association of Landowners (SORALO) in the South Rift Region of Kenya. In this area of Kenya, wildlife (such as elephants and lions) and people coexist sharing the same spaces and resources. Wildlife are still able to move freely across the landscape and by doing so enhance the connectivity between Mara-Serengeti and Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystems. SORALO is working to ensure this remains the case.

Wildlife rangers hired from local Maasai communities are a key part of SORALO’s conservation story and help to keep wildlife safe from people and people safe from wildlife. Doing so is no easy feat and involves conducting daily anti-poaching patrols, sharing information to avoid conflict between lions and livestock and elephants and crops, and being on the frontlines to save the lives of community members injured by elephants, hyaena, buffalo and more.

The 2024 Wildlife Ranger Challenge Race Day is confirmed to take place on Saturday, September 21st.

The Wildlife Ranger Challenge is the world’s largest celebration of solidarity, support and fundraising for the ranger profession. More than a 100 teams of rangers spanning the African continent compete every year in a series of challenges through June-September, culminating in a coordinated 21km race across their respective protected areas in September.

Team SORALO

The team at SORALO has been training for the Wildlife Ranger Challenge and staff and rangers at Lale’enok in Kenya even had their own challenge to support their fellow rangers in the field with Team Lion taking the lead!

Push Up Challenge

Push ups in 2 minutes among 7 members.  

Team Lion:

• Total = 339 

Team Rhino

• Total = 181

Team Hippo

• Total = 260

Tracking & Sign Reading Challenge

4 assignments @25 marks

Team Lion

• Total = 75%

Team Rhino

• Total = 90% 

Team Hippo

• Total= 60% 

Survival Making Fire in 5 Seconds Challenge

Team Lion

• Total = 49 seconds

Team Rhino

• Total = 3.7 seconds

Team Hippo

• Total = 1.6 seconds

Survival Making the Best Shelter in 5 Minutes Challenge

Team Lion

• Total = 80%

Team Rhino

• Total = 79%

Team Hippo

• Total = 85% 

Winners: Team Lion!

Get Involved

There are multiple ways you can show support leading up to the big race!

The Cincinnati Zoo staff is having their own Wildlife Ranger Challenge to support the rangers in Africa!

Train Like a Ranger: Wildlife Ranger Mini Challenges

To prepare for the Wildlife Ranger Challenge 21km race on September 16, ranger teams across Africa will be participating in a targeted training program, designed to improve and test their physical fitness. Why not see how you match up? Take on the Wildlife Ranger Mini Challenges to test your limits!

More Ways to Get Involved

Do you have what it takes to be a Wildlife Ranger? Take the Wildlife Ranger Quiz

Support Team SORALO. Give today

Purchase bracelets made by the women of SORALO

Learn more about SORALO and what the Cincinnati Zoo is doing to support wildlife conservation in Kenya.

Follow the latest news, join the conversation and speak up for wildlife protectors with #ForWildlifeRangers on social media.