Ami Vitale. Community.

A group of Samburu warriors touch a black rhino for the first time in their lives, at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, in northern Kenya. This young calf had been orphaned when poachers killed its mother, and was hand-raised at Lewa.

Kenya’s black rhinos, once on the brink of extinction, have made a remarkable recovery over the past three decades in Kenya. From a population of 240 in 1984, numbers have soared to over 1,000 thanks to the collaborative efforts of communities, government agencies, and conservation organizations.

Ami Vitale’s career stands as a testament to her deep dedication to documenting and addressing global crises. As an acclaimed National Geographic photographer, writer, and documentary filmmaker, as well as the founder of Vital Impacts, Ami has consistently spotlighted critical issues affecting our world. Her journey began in conflict zones, where she observed firsthand how environmental degradation—from resource scarcity to climate change—intensifies human suffering and conflict.

Follow Ami on Instagram @amivitale

Photo by Ami Vitale/The Nature Conservancy