From the tiger forests of India to the vast wilderness of Botswana, Natasha Mago has dedicated her life to building harmony between humans and the natural world. Her story is one of courage, compassion, and purpose, a journey that spans wildlife law, undercover investigations, and healing retreats that reconnect people to nature.

Through her work, Natasha reminds us that conservation is not just about protecting animals, but about remembering our shared belonging to the planet itself.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what first inspired your journey into working with wildlife?

I’ve instinctively loved wildlife since I was a child, well before I understood how much it was going to factor in my life. I used to fundraise for organisations that helped both animals and marine life, and do anything I could to help amplify awareness of issues.

Growing up, I spent a great deal of time at our family holiday home on the outskirts of India’s most iconic tiger reserve, so I learned through first-hand experience about the most critical challenges facing India’s wildlife and forests.

Through these years, I thought saving nature was my responsibility but one day I realised that all along, nature had been saving me: offering solace, joy, grounding and healing. That realisation, rooted in gratitude, made me determined to give back in a more meaningful and intentional way.

I spent three years gathering evidence to put together a public interest litigation which I filed in the Supreme Court of India. The purpose was to highlight issues facing India’s wildlife and forests and to ask the court to implement the strong laws already in existence in the Wildlife Protection Act. I also spearheaded an undercover investigation into wildlife crime and never looked back.

What does a typical day in your life look like when you’re out in the wild?

No two days have been the same since I launched As One. I curate intimate healing retreats in the wilderness of Botswana that honour the timeless exchange between humans and nature.

There is no predictability to what transpires but if I had to pick a common thread, I would say that each day of the retreat unfolds as a living conversation between the land, the animals and us. At first light, when the wilderness stirs, we rise with it — moving gently and breathing deeply in tune with nature’s rhythm.

We walk alongside the Ju’Hoansi San community, learning from their ancient wisdom, healing practices and unique ways of living in harmony with nature. We also explore the wild expanses of the Okavango Delta, where elephants drift like spirits through the reeds and the air hums with life. Each encounter — a bird’s flight, a lioness with her cubs, a shared moment of stillness — becomes part of the healing itself.

As dusk falls, we gather around the fire sharing stories and laughter. Cocooned by the stars and surrounded by the sounds of animals now unseen, transformation happens quietly and in reciprocity — a remembering that healing is mutual when we live as one with the natural world.

What has been one of the most memorable or transformative moments you’ve experienced in your work?

I was out in the wilderness in Botswana and there was a football match happening between the Botswana Defence Force and camp staff. We had gone to cheer them on when we heard there was a leopard nearby. I looked up at the trees and all around the usual leopard perches, only to realise that Tladi, as he was known in the area, was sitting watching the football match right out in the open.

The guys were aware he was there but play continued as normal until Tladi saw some warthogs nearby and decided that dinner was more interesting than football.

I’ve worked on issues of conflict before and it’s a nuanced and sensitive subject, which made this sight all the more extraordinary. It was such a profoundly moving testament to humans and wildlife living in harmony. In that moment, the possibilities seemed endless. To this day, Tladi remains for me the ultimate symbol of hope.

What challenges have you faced along the way, and how have they shaped your perspective?

When I began this journey, I assumed everyone in conservation was united by shared ideals. I learned otherwise. Personal agendas and politics exist here, too. That realisation pushed me to carve my own path.

Working independently isn’t always easy but it allows me to honour my values, choose collaborations intentionally, and stay aligned with my own ethics.

If you could share one message with the world about the importance of wildlife and conservation, what would it be?

Every day we bite the hand that feeds us. The planet provides us with everything we need to exist — oxygen, water, food, shelter, medicine and emotional sustenance. Somewhere down the line, we disassociated ourselves from nature and began to chip away at that relationship.

We took ownership of the non-human world and assumed a position of superiority — and that’s when the rot set in. Now, it’s up to all of us to reverse that story. Conservation is not a lofty ideal reserved for experts but rather a shared responsibility. It’s a non-negotiable act of reciprocity with the planet that sustains us.

Do you have a favourite species or place in the wild that holds special meaning for you? Why?

I’ve loved tigers for as long as I can remember, long before I ever encountered one in the wild. That love has always felt embedded in my DNA — a quiet calling that guided me towards this path of protection and reverence for the natural world.

I have clocked many hours walking in the jungles of India knowing they were out there, watching and tolerating my presence in their world. Those hours and days shaped me. I simply can’t imagine a world without them.

I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that some of us feel such a deep, inexplicable bond with certain animals. It’s that pull that drives us to go the extra mile for them, despite all odds. If you feel that connection to any animal, it’s a gift which should be honoured.

How can people best support or get involved with the work you’re doing?

I’m working on a specific project which is not quite ready to put out there yet but I will share more on my Instagram page as soon as I can. If anyone is interested in supporting it in any way at that stage, they are welcome to get in touch. My retreats are also an option if anyone feels the calling.

However, every action you take becomes part of the solution and there are several ways people can help protect and uplift nature. Financial contributions to grassroots efforts are invaluable but certainly not the only meaningful way to get involved.

Equally important is contributing time or a skill, or even offering solidarity by adding your voice to a campaign to amplify an urgent issue. I think it’s really helpful to assess what your particular strength and capacity might be so your approach is aligned with your means and goals.

I’ve come to know many deeply committed individuals and organisations doing extraordinary work, often under-resourced and under-recognised, and would be happy to point anyone in the right direction if they reach out to me through my Instagram account. It’s very important everyone does their due diligence before lending their support to any organisation — ask questions and insist on transparency.

 

Natasha’s story is a powerful reflection of how nature both heals and humbles us. Through her work — from advocacy and investigation to her deeply restorative As One retreats — she reminds us that conservation begins with connection. Her voice calls us to slow down, listen, and remember that we are not separate from the natural world, but part of it.

Follow Natasha’s journey and upcoming projects on Instagram to stay connected and inspired by her work in wildlife conservation and holistic healing.

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