Kevin Pietersen Birthday Special: A look at the cricket legend's journey as a wildlife conservationist

South Africa cricket commentator and former England player Kevin Pietersen, who turned 42 (born on June 27, 1980), is a right-handed batsman and occasional off-spin bowler. He played in all three formats for England between 2005 and 2014 which also included a brief tenure as captain.

The former cricketer is now doing legendary works as a wildlife conservationist. He has previously said in an interview with Lord Ashcroft that becoming a wildlife conservationist after being a cricketer is the greatest journey he's been on.

Pietersen says that he had a 'light-bulb moment' while back in South Africa, the country of his birth, when he suddenly realised he could use his worldwide fame to help endangered life.

He was deeply angered and ashamed at the way some South Africans abuse big game purely for profit. Kevin decided to concentrate his efforts on protecting endangered rhinos.

On being a wildlife conservationist, Kevin said, "I am pleased that I found something that I am keen to do but also I think it is so much greater than any achievement I had on the cricket field."

Kevin has become the voice for the beautiful animals who can't voice the trouble and trauma they go through almost every day of their lives at the hands of cruel people.

Kevin is using his power for great work. He went on to say, "A lot of people talk about, you are not born in Africa, Africa is born in you and that's so true. As an African kid, as a boy of the soil, I appreciated what was in the country. And the wildlife was right up there."