Voices of the Savannah: Anti-poaching rangers reveal dangers they face

These poignant pictures of Africa’s wild beasts show how fragile their lives are in the face of poachers, human encroachment and trophy hunters.

The haunting images were captured by British photographer Gary Roberts for his new book ‘Voices from the Savannah’.

The snapper highlights the dangers faced by the anti-poaching patrol as they try to protect elephants, zebras, lions and cheetahs from the money-hungry illegal hunters. 

British photographer Gary Roberts has released a series of haunting images in a new book showing the harsh reality of poaching in Africa. Pictured: A lioness supervises as her two cubs play-fight

British photographer Gary Roberts has released a series of haunting images in a new book showing the harsh reality of poaching in Africa. Pictured: A lioness with a metal snare wrapped around her neck so tight that it's exposed her flesh

The book, titled ¿Voices from the Savannah¿, has been backed by Jane Goodall and David Attenborough. Pictured: An elephant foot has become infected after being injured in a poacher's trap in Tsavo, Kenya

Mr Roberts said: ‘I am 52 and I first came to Africa when I was in my mid-20s. Then, the number of wild lions was at 200,000 but now it is 20,000, so there has been a 90 per cent decline.’ Pictured left: A lioness with a metal snare wrapped around her neck so tight that it’s exposed her flesh. The book, titled ‘Voices from the Savannah’, has been backed by Jane Goodall and David Attenborough. Pictured right: An elephant foot has become infected after being injured in a poacher’s trap in Tsavo, Kenya

Rhinos are one of the most highly poached animals in Africa. Their horns are highly sought after in Asia, where they are used in traditional medicines. There are thought to be less than 5,000 black rhinos left in the wild. Pictured: Rangers watch over a  black rhino in Serengeti, Tanzania

Rhinos are one of the most highly poached animals in Africa. Their horns are highly sought after in Asia, where they are used in traditional medicines. There are thought to be less than 5,000 black rhinos left in the wild. Pictured: Rangers watch over a  black rhino in Serengeti, Tanzania

The book has been applauded by Jane Goodall and David Attenborough.

Mr Roberts is now urging the public to get behind his campaign to spread the book as far worldwide as possible.

He said: ‘I’m aiming to get as many people to see these images as possible, to see what is happening to our world’s wildlife.

‘If people can get behind this campaign, then we can spread it far and wide and thats what needs to happen to help these animals.’

The photographer's extensive work in Tanzania and Kenya brought him into contact with conservationists and experts in the region. Pictured: Wildlife Rangers and members of the David Sheldrick Trust rest after clearing wire poachers snares in Tsavo, Kenya

The photographer’s extensive work in Tanzania and Kenya brought him into contact with conservationists and experts in the region. Pictured: Wildlife Rangers and members of the David Sheldrick Trust rest after clearing wire poachers snares in Tsavo, Kenya

More than 33,000 elephants are poached each year, which equates to one every 20 minutes. Pictured: A ranger walks past the skull of an elephant which was killed by poachers

More than 33,000 elephants are poached each year, which equates to one every 20 minutes. Pictured: A ranger walks past the skull of an elephant which was killed by poachers

Despite a ban on the international trade in ivory, African elephants are still being poached in large numbers. Their ivory tusks are the most sought after, with their ivory being carved into ornaments and jewellery in 

Despite a ban on the international trade in ivory, African elephants are still being poached in large numbers. Their tusks are the most sought after, with the ivory being carved into ornaments and jewellery. China is the biggest consumer market for the tusks

Cheetahs are dangerously close to extinction, with less than 7,000 of the big cats remaining in the wild

Their numbers are declining rapidly as they're being killed directly for their skin - and their prey species are being poached, meaning they have no food to eat

Leopards are becoming dangerously close to extinction with around 12,000 of the big cats remaining in the wild. Their numbers are declining rapidly because they’re being killed directly for their skin – and their prey species are being poached, meaning they have no food to eat

The photographer’s extensive work in Tanzania and Kenya brought him into contact with conservationists and experts in the region, who paint a bleak future for the dwindling wildlife of Africa.

In his upcoming book, he gathered together these different ‘Voices’ and noted their fears, hopes and wishes in the uphill fight for the survival of the African wildlife.

Mr Roberts said: ‘I am 52 and I first came to Africa when I was in my mid-20s. Then, the number of wild lions was at 200,000 but now it is 20,000, so there has been a 90 per cent decline.

The demand for ivory, also referred to as white-gold, is at its highest in China fuelling the multi-billion-pound illicit trade

The demand for ivory, also referred to as white-gold, is at its highest in China fuelling the multi-billion-pound illicit trade

Mr Roberts said: 'The declining numbers of wild lions should be looked at as a world problem. Otherwise there will not be any in 10 to 15 years time. And once they have gone you won't be able to repopulate them, it will just be gone forever'

A wild lion carries its prey in its mouth

Mr Roberts said: ‘The declining numbers of wild lions should be looked at as a world problem. Otherwise there will not be any in 10 to 15 years time. And once they have gone you won’t be able to repopulate them, it will just be gone forever’

Crocodiles are poached for their skin to be turned into leather. Pictured: A croc lays low in the grass by a river bank in Saadani, Tanzania

Crocodiles are poached for their skin to be turned into leather. Pictured: A croc lays low in the grass by a river bank in Saadani, Tanzania

‘This should be looked at as a world problem as otherwise there will not be any in 10 to 15 years time. And once they have gone you won’t be able to repopulate them, it will just be gone forever.’

Alarmingly, even smaller numbers exist for some of the other big five game, including the African elephant, black rhinoceros and leopard.

More than 33,000 elephants are poached each year, or one every 20 minutes.

In the book, William Mwakilema, chief warden of Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, explains how  the elephant and rhino could become extinct within a few years

Dame Jane Goodall also features in Voices from the Savannah

Contributors: In the book, William Mwakilema (left), chief warden of Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, explains how the elephant and rhino could become extinct within a few years. Dame Jane Goodall (right) also features in Voices from the Savannah

He added: ‘As you can see from the pictures, it’s a pretty desperate situation. One of the really poignant moments was seeing a lion which had been snared which I came across in the middle of the bush. That’s a symbol of what is happening in general.

‘The demand for the poaching trade is from outside Africa, in the Far East and also the US. The anti-poaching team face such a dangerous job every day as the poachers will do anything – even risk their lives – to get a rhino’s horn or elephant tusk.

‘The death rate per capita for anti-poachers is higher than a soldier in combat in Iraq.’ 

The lonely elephant: Mr Roberts hopes his hard-hitting collection of poignant images, as well as the pictures showing the beasts in all their glory will urge people to fight against poaching

The lonely elephant: Mr Roberts hopes his hard-hitting collection of poignant images, as well as the pictures showing the beasts in all their glory will urge people to fight against poaching

In the book William Mwakilema, Chief Park Warden of Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, explains how at the current rate the elephant and rhino could become extinct within a few years if it goes unchecked.

He said: ‘The war is extremely difficult to control by the use of current measures of guns, strong fines and long jail sentences as poaching involves quick gains and high return.’

The demand for ivory, also referred to as white-gold, is at its highest in China, where it is used in decorations, fuelling the multi-billion-pound illicit trade.

Mr Roberts photographed a series of candid, yet bleak, images showing the endangered exotic animals in their natural habitat

At war with illegal hunters: Rangers inspect an electric fence used to stop the endangered animals wandering out of the park in Tsavo, Kenya

At war with illegal hunters: Rangers inspect an electric fence used to stop the endangered animals wandering out of the park in Tsavo, Kenya

Rhino horns are also highly sought after in Asia, where they are used in traditional medicines.

Mr Roberts hopes his hard-hitting collection of poignant images, as well as the pictures showing the beasts in all their stunning glory will urge people to act.

‘If we can support them in anyway we have a duty to do so’, he said.

To donate to the crowdfunding campaign to spread the message and help distribute the books worldwide, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/voices-from-the-savannah.



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk