Sam Taylor

Conservationist and anti-poaching activist Born and brought up in rural Kenya, Sam is a passionate conservationist and anti-poaching activist with extensive wilderness experience. After studying zoology in the UK and New Zealand, Sam returned to his native Kenya and worked as a walking guide in the Masai Mara and Laikipia, before taking on the role of the Chief Conservation Officer of the Borana Conservancy. His work included developing the new conservancy and preparing it for the 2013 introduction of the Black Rhino, yielding immensely successful results for the area’s rhino population. Most recently Sam has served as the Chief conservation Officer for Africa Nature Investors, helping with oversight in conservation areas in Kenya and the African continent. In 2015 Sam founded the For Rangers charity to address the personal welfare of the wildlife rangers protecting wilderness areas in Africa. ForRangers directly supports the frontline men and women in the anti-poaching battle. It raises global awareness of the poaching crises, and demonstrates solidarity with the arduous and dangerous work of the rangers by taking part in some of the most extreme endurance events and expeditions on the planet. To date, Sam has led For Rangers teams in the infamous Marathon Des sables, an Ultra run of 250km through the Amazonian rain forest, competed the Gaucho derby in Patagonia - the worlds toughest endurance horse race - and has summited some of the worlds highest mountains, including Nepal’s Mt Manaslu and Mt Everest. He also set up the first ultra marathon in Kenya - a 5 -day multistage marathon running amongst the wildlife and wilds in Laikipia. The For Rangers initiatives have raised over 3 million dollars during the last six years. Funds have been used to provide valuable equipment, life and health insurance coverage, and enhanced training to rangers across the African continent. The attention to basic welfare of rangers has greatly increased the effectiveness of their work, encouraged local engagement and ownership of the process, and supported the families of fallen and wounded rangers. For Rangers’ knowledgeable, grassroots approach has demonstrated measurable success in combating the African poaching crisis. In 2020 he founded AgWild – a conservation cooperative focusing on the development of regenerative beef production to sustain wilderness areas in his native Laikipia. To keep the initiative sustainable, Sam has now set up a commercial arm of For Rangers where profits of ForRangers Adventure and Travel go directly to improving the lives of rangers and their families. ForRangers Adventure and Travel specializes in high-end luxury travel to beautiful remote wilderness areas, with a focus on also getting first hand experience in conservation initiatives on the ground.