Study provides analysis of effective conservation partnerships

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is thrilled to announce that its collaborative research paper, “Growing together: Strengthening the partnership and impact of a zoo and community‐led conservation organization,” has been published in Ecological Solutions and Evidence!  The study highlights the strengths, challenges, and growth opportunities of a decades-long partnership between the Zoo and the South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO), a community-driven conservation organization representing 30 Indigenous Maasai communities in Kenya, and provides a model that can be adopted by other international conservation organizations.

“This paper provides a roadmap for other conservation organizations to join forces with community-driven organizations, and its publication makes the principles it contains more widely accessible,” said Cincinnati Zoo coexistence manager and publication lead author Bailey Cadena. “Zoos have an opportunity and even a responsibility to support the work being done by our conservation partners and to learn and grow alongside them. One way we can do this is to grow our collective capacity, and this model facilitates greater impact.”

Cincinnati Zoo has been mentored by SORALO on why community-driven conservation work is vital to a world where both people and wildlife thrive. The SORALO team invited the Zoo’s leaders to listen and learn from African community conservation leaders as they developed what is now called the Naivasha Vision.

“It was an honor for our leaders to be present to hear what our conservation partners discussed as they crafted this guide to effective partnerships. The Naivasha Vision, which is described in more detail in the publication, includes a strong call to action for organizations like our Zoo to establish a shared purpose and vision and to put the needs of the community first,” said Cadena.

Key findings from the paper emphasize:
The effectiveness of trust-based, long-term partnerships in achieving conservation and community development goals.

The importance of cultural respect, transparency, and empathy in fostering collaboration between international organizations and local communities.

Practical recommendations for conservation organizations worldwide to strengthen partnerships and enhance coexistence strategies.

The study was conducted by Cincinnati Zoo staff and SORALO staff, including the founder and executive director, Mr. John Kamanga. The collaboration led to a friendship between Kamanga and the Zoo’s new CEO, David Jenike. Kamanga has taught Jenike and the Zoo the meaning of coexistence between wildlife and people, which has steered the strategic direction for all the Zoo’s conservation efforts. This collaboration was also recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and received its 2025 International Conservation Award.

“Working together to document our collective work reflects the dedication of both organizations to advancing conservation through collaboration, capacity building, and shared vision,” said Dr. Lily Maynard, vice president of conservation impact at the Cincinnati Zoo. “Our hope is that more organizations will embrace this conservation model, and that is why we’re excited about the paper being published to share applicable best practices.”

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has ongoing partnerships with other conservation organizations around the globe in support of its mission to create a future where people and wildlife thrive together.  Learn more about how the Zoo is Saving Wildlife and supporting the next generation of conservation leaders.

An email believed to have been sent by Ghislaine Maxwell appears to confirm a photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with his arm around Virginia Giuffre’s waist is real.

The message, released as part of the latest tranche of the Epstein files, was headed “draft statement” and sent by “G Maxwell” to Jeffrey Epstein in 2015.

She wrote: “In 2001 I was in London when [redacted] met a number of friends of mine including Prince Andrew. A photograph was taken as I imagine she wanted to show it to friends and family.”

Giuffre, who took her own life in April 2025, alleged Mountbatten-Windsor had sex with her three times when she was a teenager.

The former prince has always denied any wrongdoing. He paid millions to Giuffre, a woman he has claimed never to have met, to settle a civil sexual assault claim on no admission of liability in 2022. He has previously questioned whether the picture had been doctored.

The email, released by the US Department of Justice, adds that “G Maxwell” was not aware of “anything improper” taking place at her home.

The name of the person discussed in the email had been redacted from the published version of the statement but the details suggest it was Giuffre.

The family of Giuffre told the BBC’s Newsnight the email showed she had been “vindicated”.

Her brother, Sky Roberts, said: “It truly does vindicate Virginia … she was not lying this entire time.” He added: “It’s a moment where we’re really proud of our sister.”

In a 2019 interview with Newsnight, Mountbatten-Windsor denied meeting Giuffre and suggested the photograph may have been faked. He said at the time: “Nobody can prove whether or not that photograph has been doctored but I don’t recollect that photograph ever being taken.”

In the interview he also claimed he was at a Pizza Express in Woking, Surrey, the night it is claimed he was photographed with Giuffre.

In December, the Metropolitan police decided after a review not to launch a full criminal investigation into allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor had sex with Giuffre in London in 2001, and that Andrew put pressure on his police protection officer to find any damaging information on her.

Buckingham Palace was contacted for comment.

Thai knockout artist Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon made it clear at ONE Fight Night 39 that he’s next in line to challenge ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world champion Nabil Anane.

The 22-year-old star delivered with a statement-making knockout over Abdulla Dayakaev, his third straight finish in five consecutive victories.

After collecting a $50,000 performance for his latest highlight-reel victory, Rambolek also cemented his status as the bantamweight Muay Thai division’s No.1 contender.

In his ONE Fight Night 39 post-fight interviews, Rambolek said he will be honored to share the ring with Anane, a champion he holds deep admiration for.

“I am ready if the opportunity presents itself. I think it’s time. I ran into him already today, and I already said hi to him. I told him I wanted to fight him, and yeah, I think it would be entertaining if I got to fight him.”

Rambolek expects an all-action war against Anane, who’s on an eight-fight winning streak. The Superbon Training Camp athlete admits he’ll be in for the fight of his life against the towering Algerian-Thai star.

He added:

“I have to go back and study him, and of course, I have to go back and ask my team what they think.”

Rambolek proud to end Abdulla Dayakaev’s reign of terror

Abdulla Dayakaev entered this bout riding the momentum of four straight violent finishes. Moreover, ‘Smash Boy’ spewed some unpleasantries at Rambolek in the lead-up to their fight.

Needless to say, that animosity made this victory much sweeter for the Thai striker.

Rambolek refused to be intimidated by the Russian’s high-octane style and beat him at his own game.

The Superbon Training Camp affiliate told Nick Atkin of The Bangkok Post after the event:

“I’m very happy and also very relieved that I scored a knockout against someone who’s done big KOs before,” he said.

Stream the ONE Fight Night 39 replay on demand via Prime Video for North American subscribers.