In celebration of World Wildlife Day, The TreadRight Foundation has announced award winning National Geographic photographer Ami Vitale as its first “Wildlife” Ambassador. Vitale, a filmmaker and writer has travelled to over 100 countries, and witnessed the enduring power of the human spirit including in places of conflict, which inspired her philosophy of “living the story.”

Vitale’s experiences and passion for wildlife conservation makes her an exemplary ambassador, with her values aligning with TreadRight’s mission in support of its “Wildlife” pillar.

Earlier in her career, photography was her passport to meeting people, learning and experiencing new cultures. Now, it is a tool for creating awareness and understanding across cultures, communities and nations, to make sense of our commonalities in the world we share.

Vitale later transitioned into wildlife photography after a life-changing moment in 2009 with Sudan, who was to become the world’s last northern male white rhinoceros, and with whom she felt an immediate connection. Nine years later at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, she photographed the final dying moments Sudan had with his dedicated protector, Joseph Wachira. This powerful image was awarded National Geographic’s best image of the decade by its readers.

Vitale will be travelling with the TreadRight team to capture the wildlife conservation work being done at two Red Carnation Hotel Collection properties, Bushman’s Kloof Wilderness Reserve nestled in the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains in South Africa and the Xigera Safari Lodge in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, set to open June 2020. She will help tell the stories of the extraordinary efforts employed by the Xigera property to empower local communities in its environmentally conscious build amid the incredible setting.

For more information, treadright.org and please join us as we #MakeTravelMatter by signing The Pledge.