THE ISSUE
The two biggest threats to elephants are poaching and human-wildlife conflict. Too many herds are stuck in shrinking habitats as human populations increase. This leads to increased interactions that can result in damage to crops or property and too often ends in retaliation rather than a long-term solution. Poaching has also become such a prevalent problem that more elephants are being poached now than are being born. Elephants have already been driven to extinction in countries like Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo.
THE SOLUTION
We support private reserves across Africa that operate luxury camps and lodges in order to provide an expanded habitat for elephants and other species that call the reserve home, while having a minimal footprint on the environment themselves. We also look for properties that employ locals, which ties the surrounding communities’ success to the well-being of the animals they protect. In Africa, an average of seven people are dependent on one salaried family member to sustain them so employment quickly has a ripple effect.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
One of the greatest ways you can have an impact is simply by traveling and being aware of where your money goes and what it supports. Check out this luxurious itinerary focused on supporting elephant conservation efforts:
You can donate to this cause directly with either a one-time or monthly donation:
Here are a few examples of costs associated with supporting elephant conservation efforts:
- $40 can outfit a ranger with sturdy boots
- $230 can pay an elephant keeper’s fee for a month
- $450 can buy milk formula for a calf for two weeks
- $1,750 can train a ranger
- $2,400 can airlift a calf who is in trouble
WHO WE SUPPORT
RETETI ELEPHANT SANCTUARY
Not only will you find the second largest elephant population within Kenya in the isolated Mathews Range, you will also find Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. This sanctuary cares for elephant calves who have been orphaned or abandoned and most importantly, does whatever they can to prepare them to join neighboring wild herds.
HERD ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE, KAPAMA GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA
With the growing number of orphans and displaced elephant calves in recent years, as a result of increased poaching of elephant mothers as well as man vs. elephant land conflict, Adine Roode, owner of Jabulani Lodge, took the step to build a dedicated elephant orphanage to provide a unique adoptive family structure for baby elephants in need. HERD (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development) cares for and rehabilitates orphaned elephants to give them a new family and a second chance at life with another herd.
DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
The well-rounded approach of this charity organization includes anti-poaching efforts complete with aerial surveillance and canine units. They are also involved in educating and engaging local communities as well as offering rescue and rehabilitation to elephants, rhinos and other species in need. They continue their involvement with safeguarding wilderness areas, providing veterinary services to injured animals as well as providing water relief for wildlife in areas that historically suffer from droughts. Ask us how to arrange a visit to their elephant nursery next time you are headed to Nairobi, Kenya.
JAMES CURRIE, CONSERVATIONIST
James’ documentary Last of the Big Tuskers highlights the planet’s last remaining 22 super tusker elephants – those with tusks heavier than 100 pounds a side. Learn about the devastating effects of human-wildlife conflict, poaching, and hunting on these magnificent creatures, what is being done to ensure their survival, and celebrate the majesty of the ones that remain. You can rent or buy Last of the Big Tuskers on Vimeo.