DONATE TODAY * Donations to Elephanatics will be sent to SEEDBALLS Kenya to purchase seedballs for @MaraElephantProject in the Maasai Mara, Kenya.
We Are Excited!
Elephanatics has recently partnered with SEEDBALLS Kenya!
SEEDBALLS Kenya is an African based organization that has pioneered a method of mass producing seedballs for low cost and efficient reintroduction of trees and grass species into degraded areas in Africa.
What is a seedball? A Seedball is simply that – a seed inside of a ball of charcoal dust mixed with some nutritious binders. SEEDBALLS Kenya focuses on helping reduce the cost of planting various useful indigenous plant species (mostly trees and grass) in Kenya. The biochar coating of the ball helps protect the seed within from predators such as birds, rodents and insects and extremes of temperature until the rains arrive! Once soaked, the seedball helps retain and prolong a moist environment around the seed to encourage germination. Seedballs are a nature-based solution to biodiversity and ecosystem loss.
Human activity is degrading ecosystems and driving biodiversity loss faster than ever before. The speed at which species are disappearing is at least 100 times higher than the natural rate of extinction. If we don’t stop this, at the current rate it will take millions of years for diversity to be restored to pre industrial levels. Africa is suffering from an unprecedented decline in biodiversity due to extensive agricultural practices, population growth, illicit wildlife trafficking, development, and more. In the last forty years, elephant habitat has decreased by nearly two thirds largely due to human activities.
We are happy to promote the outstanding work SEEDBALLS Kenya does in assisting with restoring and reforesting areas of Africa hardest hit by habitat destruction.
Please join us this World Elephant Day and Donate to Propagate!
For more information on SEEDBALLS Kenya go to: https://www.seedballskenya.com/seedballs
DONATE TODAY * Donations to Elephanatics will be sent to SEEDBALLS Kenya to purchase seedballs for @MaraElephantProject in the Maasai Mara, Kenya.
Elephanatics Facebook post March 2020 – Patience and Perseverance vs Pandemic.
To volunteer contact – elephanaticsinfo@gmail.com
We are so pleased to share our student volunteer’s blog, “Help Save the Enchanted Elephant.” Dhanvin is a grade 10 student attending Kwantlen Park Secondary School in Surrey. From his experience growing up in Asia, he has a keen sense of the need to protect this valuable species. We thank him for his time and efforts at promoting the work we do as an organization at his school.
(My teacher giving an info session on Effects of Elephant Poaching)
May 9th, 2022
Hi, my name is Dhanvin. I am a grade 10 student attending Kwantlen Park Secondary School in Surrey, BC, Canada. I have offered to volunteer with Elephanatics – an elephant advocacy organization based in Vancouver – to help spread awareness about the crises facing both the African and Asian elephant and the necessity to help save these majestic animals.
Growing up in Asia I have a deep connection with Elephants. I have admired these fascinating creatures since my childhood. Elephants play a significant role in my culture. I had the privilege to touch and ride on one. I vividly remember riding on a 20-year-old Asian elephant. It felt magical riding on this magnificent creature. Riding over 7 feet high through a thick green luscious forest gave me the opportunity to reflect and reconnect with nature. This is one of my favourite memories that I will cherish all my life. Little did I know at the time that riding elephants is not good for them and can cause unnecessary pain to their backs. After reading about unethical tourism, I realized I needed to make others aware that in order to ride elephants they have to go through a horrible procedure to become tame called, ‘Phajaan’ or ‘the crush’. It means to break their spirit and they are beaten to become domesticated. Unethical tourism is a big problem and needs to end.
African and Asian elephants are powerful, compassionate and magnificent animals. They are also ecosystem engineers, playing a critical role in shaping the natural environments where they live. Ecosystems are a complicated web where animals and plants depend on each other for survival. Ecosystems have been developing and evolving for eons. It is depressing to see humans wreck these fascinating systems in just a few decades. Disrupting the balance of ecosystems can threaten human life existence on earth. In spite of the efforts from some governments, the number of African forest elephants fell by more than 86% over a period of 31 years. The African Forest Elephant is Critically Endangered and the African Savannah Elephant is Endangered and on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
The Asian Elephant is listed as Endangered because of a population reduction to be at least 50% over the last three generations. The biggest threat to Asian and African elephants now is habitat loss and fragmentation.
Some of the main reasons threatening the existence of elephants include:
Poaching
Elephants are most vulnerable to poaching for ivory and bush meat. Unfortunately, many people take pride in hunting elephants. Over the past 200-years ivory has become increasingly valuable. At the beginning ivory was collected from dead elephants but it pains me to say that many innocent elephants are now killed to make jewellery. It is tragic that human greed kills these creatures. I feel great sorrow looking at the unfortunate poaching events involving elephants. Recent studies show elephants have begun evolving without their beautiful tusks. Approximately thirty thousand elephants are killed every year due to poaching.
Climate change
Humans have become the most disruptive species on earth. With continuous expansion in human settlements there is a significant impact on our climate. Degrading climatic conditions are ruining the habitats of many animals and elephants are one of the most prominent species impacted. Their forests and grasslands have been cut down to expand cities and agricultural demands. Elephants are a keystone species and play a huge part in the worlds biodiversity.
Human Elephant Conflict
Expanding settlement boundaries have caused elephants to wander into human settlements. This has led humans to take drastic measure to protect their families and crops. According to WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) over 100 people and 50-80 elephants are killed in this conflict every year. It is upsetting to see humans disrupt the delicate balance and co-existence between all species.
It is not too late to stop this destruction. In my opinion education is the best way of spreading awareness. With education we can pass on a better world to our successive generations. Although I am unable to go and help the elephants in person myself, I want to sensitize others. I have been volunteering with Elephanatics for over three months. They have given me access to a wide variety of insightful learning resources. These resources have been invaluable in helping me spread awareness in my school community by distributing the lesson plans to my teachers. My social studies teacher loved the idea of including the lesson plan and he was able to share these insightful resources with his colleagues and present a lesson plan to his students.
I have tried to start a club and organize fundraiser, I was turned down by my school admin, but I did not give up and I tried by best to spread the awareness and encourage my peers in supporting this cause. I believe I can make a difference and give our future generation an opportunity to see these stunning creatures.
If you love elephants and want to help save them, please join me in spreading the word about the crises facing elephants by sharing Elephanatics petition to end the domestic trade of elephant ivory in Canada – over 687,000 people have signed this petition making it one of the largest petitions in Canada.
#IvoryFreeCanada
Thank you and I hope you will join me in trying to help these magnificent creatures.
You can contact me at:
or, feel free to contact Elephanatics at: elephanaticsinfo@gmail.com
Dhanvin
Great news for captive animals!
On March 22, 2022, Senator Marty Klyne reintroduced the Jane Goodall Act to the Canadian Senate. Originally introduced by Senator Murray Sinclair in 2020, the proposed bill contains new legal protections for captive big cats, bears, wolves, seals, sea lions, walruses, certain monkeys, and dangerous reptiles, such as crocodiles and giant pythons. The bill would also phase out elephant captivity in Canada.
Our founder, Dr. Jane Goodall shared her thoughts on the bill: “Today is an important day for animals. “So many of them are in desperate need of our help and the Jane Goodall Act establishes protection and support for animals under human care. It is a monumental step forward for animals, people, and the environment. I am honoured to lend my name to this world-leading legislation that is supported by a wonderful coalition of government, conservationists, animal welfare groups and accredited zoos. Together we can and will provide a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves and put an end to the misery that is wildlife trafficking.”
Building a Legacy of Conservation in Kenya. The Fran Duthie African Elephant Conservation Scholarship, administered by the Mara Elephant Project (MEP), is a powerful partnership between MEP and Elephanatics, a Canadian elephant advocacy organization co-founded by Fran Duthie. This scholarship is designed to build local capacity by providing financial support and practical experience to the next generation of Kenyan conservation leaders.
Scholarship Details This scholarship provides financial support to Kenyan nationals pursuing a technical certificate, undergraduate, or postgraduate degree in a field related to conservation and wildlife protection. Scholars also receive valuable hands-on experience through a required one-month internship with a Kenyan conservation organization.
See the Impact Since its launch, this scholarship has changed lives and helped secure a future for elephants. Our inaugural recipient, Janeth Jepkemboi, is currently completing her Master’s thesis with a research internship at MEP. We are also proud to support amazing students like Leshan, Mark, Mary, and Sumaiyah, who are all making a tangible impact in the field.
Support the Scholarship Please consider supporting these amazing students and their work. Your contribution directly funds the education of Kenyans preparing for a career in conservation, helping to ensure a thriving future for elephants, wildlife, and their habitats.
Updates of Current Recipients to the Fran Duthie African Elephant Scholarship
Leshan proactively pursued independent studies, utilizing online reading materials and peer discussions to advance his coursework. Mark had the privilege of participating in the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research event held at the United Nations in Nairobi, where he participated in global discussions on sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and biodiversity. Mary participated in the International Women’s Day Celebration at the International Livestock Research Institute in Nairobi and connected with a lot of other impactful women working in conservation and beyond. Sumaiyah participated in a wildlife census hosted by the Athi Kapiti Wildlife Conservancies Association and supported the draft report based on their findings.
