The Airborne Wildlife Warrior

Daniel Zuma is a gyrocopter conservation pilot and technician, flying over dryland forest as part of the Wildlife Works Elephant Protection Trust Air Wing to protect the trees and wildlife living in southeastern Kenya.

Born and raised in a family of five in Marungu village, Kenya, his father relied on cutting down trees to burn charcoal and poaching wild animals as the main source of income to feed his siblings and pay for their school fees. His parents both tragically died when he was 13 years old.

His childhood dream job was to become an engineer or a pilot and he was able to get sponsored and fly to the UK where he trained as a gyrocopter pilot. Wildlife Works is a private conservation company, operating in Kenya across half a million acres between Tsavo East and Tsavo West national parks. Through funding from REDD+, Wildlife Works’ implements its conservation strategy, creating jobs as it gives the community a real alternative to killing animals and destroying their environment for survival.

Daniel Zuma with his co pilot Kipsang a Wildlife Works ranger next to the gyrocopter they carry out aerial surveillance, Tsavo, Taita Taveta County, Kenya – Daniel Zuma