In Pictures

Batting for the ‘Last Male Standing’

Kenya’s Maasai Cricket Warriors play to raise awareness of the last surviving male northern rhino.

Jonathan Ole Meshami of the Maasai Cricket Warriors — The Maasai Cricket Warriors partnered with the Australian High Commission and British Army Training Unit in Kenya to organise the charity cricket tournament. [Thomas Mukoya/Reuters]

Laikipia National Park, Kenya – The Maasai Cricket Warriors from Kenya were in action against the British Army Training Unit (BATUK) during a charity tournament aimed at raising awareness of the plight of endangered animals.

The semi-nomadic cattle herders from Kenya took part in the tournament called the “Last Male Standing” organised in the Laikipia National Park, Kenya – home of the last surviving male northern white rhino named “Sudan”.

The rhino, whose horns have been removed to reduce the incentive for poachers, is guarded 24 hours a day by armed rangers.

The Kenyan tribesmen use cricket to actively campaign against retrogressive traditional practises, including female genital mutilation, early childhood marriages and discrimination against women in Maasailand.

Dickson Rongo, a member of the Maasai Cricket Warriors, — The Kenyan tribesmen ditched the traditional cricket whites for the more colourful outfits and body decoration. [Thomas Mukoya/Reuters]

Members of the Maasai Cricket Warriors pose for a photo with the last surviving male northern white rhino — The tournament is taking place at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia National Park, Kenya, which is the home of the last surviving male northern white rhino. [Thomas Mukoya/Reuters]

Wardens assist the last surviving male northern white rhino named ''Sudan'' — The rhino, whose horns have been removed to reduce the incentive for poachers to kill it, is guarded by armed rangers 24 hours a day. [Thomas Mukoya/Reuters]

Memusi of the Maasai Cricket Warriors plays against the British Army Training Unit cricket team during a charity tournament — This tournament called the 'Last Male Standing' is a way for the Maasai Cricket Warriors to call for community involvement in conservation. [Thomas Mukoya/Reuters]

Captain of the Maasai Cricket Warriors reacts after being bowled out — The Kenyan tribesmen use cricket to actively campaign against retrogressive traditional practices and also promote a healthy lifestyle. [Thomas Mukoya/Reuters]

Leimado of the Maasai Cricket Warriors plays against the British Army Training Unit cricket team — Since 2007, there has been a 10,000 percent increase in poaching in South Africa alone. [Thomas Mukoya/Reuters]

Laimado and Memusi of the Maasai Cricket Warriors run — The team was formed six years ago thanks to the efforts of Aliya Bauer, a South African woman who had travelled to Kenya's Laikipia region to work on a primate research programme. [Thomas Mukoya/Reuters]

Maasai Cricket Warriors team plays cricket at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in support of rhinos — Bowling, for some, was just like 'throwing a spear'. [Daniel Irungu/EPA]