Kenyan conservationist daniel ole sambu, who pioneered human-wildlife coexistence programs near kilimanjaro, dies at 51

In the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, where pastoralists graze their cattle across ancient migration routes, Daniel Ole Sambu spent decades building bridges between human communities and the wildlife they shared the land with. The Kenyan conservationist, who died in December at age 51, dedicated his career to solving one of Africa’s most persistent conservation challenges: how to protect predators while supporting the livelihoods of local people.

As program coordinator for the Big Life Foundation’s Predator Compensation Fund, Sambu developed and managed an innovative approach to human-wildlife conflict. The program offered financial compensation to families who lost livestock to lions, leopards, and other predators—but only if they agreed not to retaliate by killing the animals. This seemingly simple exchange required extraordinary skill to implement, involving patient negotiations with pastoralist communities, careful verification of livestock losses, and constant relationship-building across cultural and economic divides.

Sambu’s effectiveness came from his deep roots in the Amboseli ecosystem where he worked. Having grown up in the region, he understood firsthand the challenges of living alongside dangerous wildlife and the economic pressures facing pastoral communities. His approach recognized that lasting conservation solutions must address human needs alongside wildlife protection.

Beyond administering compensation payments, Sambu worked to strengthen local conservation capacity and foster long-term coexistence strategies. His death represents a significant loss for conservation efforts in the region, where trust-based relationships between conservationists and local communities remain essential for protecting Kenya’s iconic wildlife populations.