Ofir Drori is a remarkable photo-journalist and activist, who founded LAGA in Cameroon to tackle wildlife crime and protect apes and other rare wildlife from poachers. Born Free has supported LAGA since 2004 and the model has been replicated and now operates in nine countries in central and west Africa.

Known as EAGLE – Eco Activists for Governance and Law Enforcement, the dynamic network works for wildlife law enforcement and fights corruption, infiltrating trading gangs to bring dangerous criminals such as ape-meat dealers* to justice. Thanks to EAGLE’s undercover investigations, tip offs to police, legal action and media follow-up, this innovative and award-winning organisation has helped imprison more than 1,000 major wildlife criminals.

What is your goal in your work with LAGA and EAGLE?
Our goal is bringing about effective wildlife law enforcement. Most of the countries in west and central Africa are yet to apply the wildlife law. We are here to change this.

What is it that motivates you to work with wildlife?
I loved animals from the time I was young, but what motivates me more is all of my African experience. My love for wildlife can not be separated from my love to this continent’s people. I spent years in the bush, being with wild animals as I trek through the savannahs. Watching a herd of 300 elephants from a the tent is inspiring and leaves one with a sense of humility and deep respect to nature.

Why do you consider individual animals to be important?
Future, the first baby chimp I rescued has showed me that beyond preserving a species, each individual animal is a world by itself. Being so inquisitive and expressive, it was difficult to ignore the value of his thoughts and feelings.

Watching a herd of 300 elephants from a the tent is inspiring and leaves one with a sense of humility and deep respect to nature.