Wildlife Wars

Richard Leakey spent years trying to save Africa's animals. Now he's trying to save a nation. Leakey began his career following in the footsteps of his famous parents, Mary and Louis, and becoming a renowned paleoanthropologist and head of Kenya's National Museums. In 1989, Kenyan president Daniel arap Moi put Leakey in charge of the Kenyan Wildlife Service. Ivory poachers were killing hundreds of elephants annually and the organisation was close to collapse. Leakey sacked corrupt rangers and brought in millions of dollars from international donors to help enforce a ban on the ivory trade. But when Moi accused the service of corruption, Leakey quit, later forming an opposition party. He clashed with Moi but in July 1999, Moi appointed him head of Kenya's civil service and secretary to the Cabinet. He is now charged with ridding the government of corruption and jumpstarting the economy.Leakey's clashes with poachers and the dictator Moi will provide a dramatic focus for the book. He will also detail the challenge he faced when he lost both his legs in a plane crash that many believe to have been caused by sabotage. He has had over 30 operations to allow him to walk again.