William Holden Wildlife Foundation

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Although William Holden's illustrious acting career spanned over 40 years, and included nearly 80 films plus a coveted Oscar for STALAG 17, the role in which he took the most pride was as a conservationist and co-founder of the Mount Kenya Game Ranch. His dedicated efforts to preserve the wildlife so precious to all of us soon expanded through the world, as he instilled in everyone he touched a reverence for nature's creatures.

In his memory, the William Holden Wildlife Foundation was founded to carry on his important efforts and to meet the ever-increasing demand for alternatives to extinction. The foundation's education program currently serves over 10,000 students per year. Overhead expenses in the United States are underwritten through the generosity of a single donor, ensuring that virtually 100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly to our work. We hope you will consider participating in our present and in our future.

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UPDATE FROM KENYA -- MURDER AT THE WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY

POACHERS MURDER PRIZED WHITE RHINO, "BIG MAMA" AT MT. KENYA
WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY

In September 2008, a terrible event occurred at the Wildlife Conservancy. Under the cover of midnight, a group of poachers (illegal hunters) snuck into the conservancy with automatic weapons and shot to death "Big Mama” (on the
left in the photo.)

Big Mama and Zulu were a pair of white rhinos purchased by our vice-president, Don Hunt, as a present to his wife, Iris.

These gentle giants became a symbol of wildlife conservation for well over 150,000 young Kenyan students who visited Big Mama and her mate, Zulu, at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy as part of our ongoing wildlife education programs.

White rhinos are not indigenous to Kenya but generally are found farther south of Africa. Many years ago, white rhinos were imported by private collectors, who donated some groups of rhinos to the national park system in North Kenya, where they happily multiplied. Today, white rhinos are found on many privately owned ranches in Kenya where they are easy to keep in herds because they basically like each other’s company, as opposed to "black rhinos" who prefer to be solitary.

In fact, the term "white"does not actually refer to their color. It comes from the South African word "widt,” meaning “wide” -- because "white rhinos" have a very wide mouth and square lips for grazing, while the "black rhino"has a prehensile lip which it uses to grasp limbs and leaves when feeding. Both rhinos are herbivores, and humans are their only predators.

Under 24-hour surveillance since their arrival, but allowed to roam free on the conservancy, Big Mama grew into a most magnificent example of her species, sporting an exceptionally long and elegant horn. Measuring over 4 feet long, it is believed to be the record rhino horn of the 21st century for East Africa.

Heavily armed poachers raided the conservancy on the night of Sept. 27, 2008 in an attempt to assassinate Big Mama and Zulu. She was attacked first, and faced the gang of poachers firing a barrage of bullets at her. The conservancy's security force drove off the poachers in the middle of their attempt to kill both rhinos. This was the second attack within one month.

It is illegal to trade in rhino horns. Nevertheless, the price of rhino horn exceeds the price of gold and is sought after in Chinese traditional medicine for its promise of creating male potency. No matter how much science refutes this claim, it seems impossible to convince people to the contrary.

The Wildlife Conservancy donated Big Mama's horn to the National Museums of Kenya in memory of the men and women that have dedicated and/or lost their lives in the fight for conservation.

Big Mama was a great inspiration to thousands of young Kenyans, many of whom turned into conservationists as a result. In this way, we hope that many more young Kenyan students and visitors can view this record horn of this magnificent animal that should never be forgotten.

Zulu, the young male rhino who was Big Mama's mate, is now alone and in mourning. If you can help us find him a new companion, please make your contribution using the button below.

Yes, I want to help give poor Zulu a mate!