2025: A Year of Victory and Hope

Published on December 31, 2025January 6, 2026 by elephanatic

2025 Year in Review

As we reach the final days of the year, the team at Elephanatics is reflecting on its major milestones in elephant conservation for 2025. From the high-stakes policy tables in Uzbekistan to the vibrant ecosystems of the Mara, your support has fuelled a year of progress, crucial advocacy, and a brighter future for elephants.

Honouring Conservation Excellence

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of our team members who are leading the way in science and conservation. This year, we celebrate Dr Jake Wall for receiving the prestigious Esmond B. Martin Royal Geographic Society Prize: Awarded for outstanding individual achievement in geographical research and its application to wildlife conservation.

Additionally, our Director, Dr René Beyers, led the official publication of the IUCN Rewilding Guidelines at the World Conservation Congress, setting a new global standard for ethical, science-based conservation policy.

A Voice for Elephants: CITES-CoP20 Update

We are relieved that the international ban on ivory sales remains in place. Proposals to reopen the trade and sell off ivory stockpiles were successfully blocked—a major win for elephant safety.

However, other decisions have created new risks. Changes were made that now allow for:

Commercial Sale of Parts: A legal path for the sale of elephant skins, hair, and leather.
Live Elephant Exports: Loosened rules that make it easier to send wild elephants to zoos and captive facilities far from their natural homes.

Why this matters: Allowing any part of an elephant to be sold for profit creates “commercial loopholes” that can be used to hide illegal poaching. It treats these magnificent animals as products rather than a protected species.

This is exactly why we need a new global treaty—an additional Protocol to the UNTOC (UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime). We must close these doors for good and treat wildlife crime as the serious international organized crime it truly is.

Empowering the Next Generation: Education

Fostering a deep understanding of elephants is the cornerstone of our mission. This year, we expanded our reach by launching new educational lesson plans tailored for both elementary and secondary educators. These resources, designed for Canadian and US curriculums, help students explore elephant ecology, the importance of keystone species, and global conservation challenges.

Educators: You can explore and download our full range of updated lesson plans at elephanatics.org/education.

Investing in Local Leadership: 2025 Scholarship Recipients

Our commitment to on-the-ground conservation remains a core pillar of our mission, primarily through the Fran Duthie African Elephant Conservation Scholarship. Administered in partnership with the Mara Elephant Project (MEP), this scholarship is designed to cultivate the conservation leaders of tomorrow.

To date, we are incredibly proud to have supported many students as they pursue higher education in fields vital to the survival of the African elephant. By providing this scholarship, we are doing more than just paying tuition; we are investing in a sustainable future for the Greater Mara ecosystem.

The Impact of the Scholarship

By removing financial barriers, this grant empowers local students to:

Gain Specialized Expertise: Pursuing degrees in Forestry, Environmental Science, and Climate Advocacy to bring scientific solutions to their communities.
Bridge the Gap: Serving as a vital link between traditional livelihoods and modern biodiversity protection.
Lead Local Outreach: Becoming advocates who inspire their neighbors to value and protect the “gardeners of the forest.”
Secure Conservation Careers: Creating a pathway for those living closest to elephants to become the professionals leading the charge to save them.

Frontline Success

Together, we surpassed our World Elephant Day fundraising goal for the Mara Elephant Project, helping protect high-value acres of the Loita Forest in Kenya—a vital sanctuary for elephants and rare biodiversity.

In Remembrance of Our Heroes

As we look toward the future, we pause in sad remembrance of the visionary conservationists we lost this year: Dr. Jane Goodall and Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton. Their tireless advocacy, groundbreaking research, and profound love for wildlife changed the world forever. While we mourn their passing, we find strength in their example; their legacy and love for wildlife will live on through the work we continue to do every day.

Thank you for being a vital partner in our fight to secure a safer future for elephants and all wildlife. We wish you a happy and healthy New Year filled with hope and success!

The Elephanatics Team

Happy Holidays from Elephanatics!

Published on December 24, 2025January 6, 2026 by elephanatic

Happy Holidays from Elephanatics 2025!

“Winter’s chill has cast its spell on festive nights we know so well,
as shadows of our past reflect the days of old we can’t forget.
Where elephants roam we stand to shield the ancient grace their spirits yield,
we vow to guard their grand design, and end the harm from all mankind.
While moonlight shares its hypnotic glow between the trees that whisper joy,
rejoice, reclaim, and start anew— the season’s magic is here for you!”

We thank you for your continued support and wish you all the very best for the season and new year ahead.

The Elephanatics Team

Elephanatics Foundation - Free elephant conservation lesson plans, toolkits for teachers, and persuasive essay resources.

🐘 Elephanatics December Newsletter 🎁

Published on December 2, 2025January 6, 2026 by elephanatic

Tis the Season!🎄

“Let us strive to learn from the past
Dare to live in the present
And have the courage to plan for the future!”

As we venture into the Christmas Season we have some good news we want to share with you!

📢 Victory for Responsible Conservation: Rewilding Guidelines Published!

We are thrilled to celebrate a massive achievement led by our Director, René Beyers, at the IUCN World Conservation Congress. After dedicated work and advocacy, the crucial Rewilding Guidelines have been officially published! These guidelines are vital for ensuring that conservation and reintroduction efforts are ethical, responsible, and effective, setting a high standard for global biodiversity initiatives. René’s hard work has cemented Elephanatics’ leadership in science-based conservation policy.

📝 A Voice for Elephants at CITES-CoP20

Some great news coming out of the CITES-CoP20 being held in Uzbekistan right now! CITES-CoP20 delivered a crucial victory for wildlife! Elephanatics, with our coalition partners, successfully urged the Canadian delegation to oppose Proposals 13 and 14, which sought to re-open commercial ivory trade. Critically, the strong international stance was maintained, blocking all attempts, including Namibia’s proposal 13, to reopen the international ivory and rhino horn trade. This is great news for elephants! 🐘:)

✨ Good News: Amboseli’s Elephants are Thriving!

We were delighted by the recent reports confirming a significant increase in the elephant population in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park! This positive trend is a beacon of hope and a testament to the hard work of conservation partners, rangers, and local communities who protect this vital ecosystem. Every successful breeding season and every protected herd reinforces the mission we all share.

📚 New Lesson Plan for Educators!

We are excited to announce the launch of a new educational resource for teachers and educators: “Giants and Guardians: A Global Conservation Comparison.” This lesson plan is designed for Grades 6-8 and compares elephant conservation challenges in Africa with parallel issues facing iconic wildlife in Canada and the United States. We encourage all educators to review this resource and bring global conservation awareness into the classroom! Find all our lesson plans at elephanatics.org/education

🎁 Shop & Save an Elephant This Season!

As you begin your holiday shopping, remember that you can support Elephanatics without spending an extra dime!

Visit our Teespring line today and purchase apparel, mugs, and more. 100% of every sale goes directly back to our conservation, education, and action initiatives, helping us fund the critical work you read about above.

Thank you for your continued support and passion for elephants. Wishing you all a safe start to December filled with laughter and joy for the festive season, and may the New Year bring continued success and prosperity for you all!

“Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.” Charles Dickens

The Elephanatics Team 🎁🎄

Elephanatics Foundation - Fighting elephant poaching and transnational wildlife crime through the UNTOC Protocol

🐘 Elephanatics | November 2025 Newsletter

Published on November 4, 2025January 6, 2026 by elephanatic

November: The Global Battle for Elephants is On!

Support Through Giving Tuesday December 2nd

Photo credit – Francine Lebel-Carruthers

Greetings from the herd at Elephanatics!

For over a decade, we at Elephanatics Foundation have been powering bold elephant advocacy across Canada and Africa. Our mission is clear and drives everything we do: educate, conserve, and take action for elephants and the ecosystems they inhabit.

Why Elephants Matter

How We Take Action: From Savanna to Policy Table

Frontline Conservation: Our sustained partnership with the Mara Elephant Project (MEP) in Kenya connects your support to life-saving work, including funding anti-poaching patrols, utilizing GPS collars for real-time tracking, and implementing human-elephant conflict mitigation strategies.
Historic Policy Win: We lead influential policy campaigns — for example, the Ivory-Free Canada coalition that successfully implemented a historic ban on the elephant ivory trade in Canada in November 2023. Read more here
Public Awareness: We provide educational resources and raise public awareness, making elephant protection a cause people can engage with, not just observe. Find resources here
Fundraising & Amplification: We actively fundraise for specific, high-impact conservation needs (like our World elephant Day support for MEP’s Loita Forest project). Critically, for Giving Tuesday on December 2nd, we will amplify MEP’s urgent field work across our channels, encouraging our supporters to donate directly here to their frontline efforts.

What’s Coming Up: CITES CoP20

From November 24 to December 5, 2025, representatives from 185 countries will gather in Samarkand, Uzbekistan for the 20th meeting of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Elephanatics Foundation has submitted a position letter to Canada’s Scientific Management Authority outlining opposition arguments to Proposals by African countries wanting to reopen the ivory trade. The cost to elephants for any renewed trade would be catastrophic, as a legal market would inevitably provide cover for illegal poaching, creating a devastating surge in demand that would once again drive elephant populations toward extinction.

Ongoing Policy Work

We continue to work in collaboration with other global NGOs, sending letters to MPs and Federal Ministers regarding the urgent need for an additional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) to tackle the illegal wildlife trade.The 13th session of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is scheduled to take place in October 2026 in Vienna, Austria. We will continue to advocate on this critical topic more aggressively.

A Final Call to Action

Elephanatics Foundation is turning the tide for elephants — from classrooms in Canada and the US to the savannas of Africa — by merging education with on-the-ground conservation and policy power. With the global spotlight shifting to the critical negotiations at CITES CoP20 this November, the time to support organizations working against the reopening of the ivory trade is critical. This makes Giving Tuesday (December 2nd) an excellent time to provide the vital funds these organizations need to continue their advocacy work and protect the future of the species. Donate directly to MEP’s frontline efforts here.

Thank You

We thank you for being a committed Elephanatics follower. Whether through sharing our posts or donating on Giving Tuesday, December 2nd, you are a vital partner in our fight to secure a future free of the ivory trade. We are deeply grateful for your continued advocacy and support.

🐘 The Elephanatics Team

Don’t forget to follow us on our other social media platforms: https://linktr.ee/elephanatics

Elephanatics October 2025 Newsletter!

Published on October 2, 2025January 6, 2026 by elephanatic

October is Here!

“O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
To-morrow’s wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.” — Robert Frost, from the poem “October”

As the days grow darker and the chill sets in, it’s the perfect time to renew our spirits and look forward to the warmth of friends and family. Thanksgiving offers a wonderful chance to pause, be grateful for all we have, and cherish the good times. We have some great news to share with you as well!

We are absolutely delighted to introduce our new Outreach Coordinator and Educator, Amanda Slatin! We are so fortunate to welcome an enthusiastic teacher who is ready to inspire students to become the next generation of Planet Protectors.

Amanda is a passionate Educator committed to sparking curiosity and
lifelong learning, as she enjoys teaching students in K-12th grades. She has a Master’s in Education and has worked as a Curriculum Developer in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Africa. After a recent trip to Kenya, she fell in love with the elephants, who are one of the most protective, loyal, and caring animals. Amanda believes in the power of storytelling, building an interactive classroom, sharing real-world connections to inspire young minds, with a commitment to conservation by fostering empathy, compassion, and community.

On this World Animal Day, October 4th, Empower the Protectors!

Please consider funding an elephant scholarship for the Mara Elephant Project in Kenya. The Mara Elephant Project (MEP) does vital work on the front lines, and we are proud partners through our unique elephant scholarship program. This isn’t just about saving animals; it’s about building capacity, fostering local leadership, and creating sustainable conservation solutions from within the communities that live alongside these giants. Your support for our scholarship program provides critical training and education for dedicated individuals in Kenya, transforming them into skilled conservationists. They become the eyes on the ground, the voices for the voiceless, and the guardians of elephant herds, directly impacting the reduction of poaching and mitigation of human-elephant conflict. Donate today!

We are now a member of the Canadian Committee for the IUCN (CCIUCN)!

The Canadian Committee for IUCN (CCIUCN) provides a crucial voice and networking platform for Canadians engaged in IUCN work. As a supportive, collegial non-profit, the CCIUCN allows individuals and organizations across Canada to actively share information and foster collective action on conservation issues. They specifically work intergenerationally and with diverse cultures (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) to ensure different world views and perspectives are represented in their initiatives. Their activities, including the Annual General Meeting and communication channels, showcase the diversity of Canadian conservation.
In addition, the CCIUCN is a hub for sharing applicable global IUCN news, information and expertise. The #IUCNWorldConservationCongress is being held in Abu Dhabi this year Oct 9 – 15 with the theme “Powering transformative conservation”. Rewilding will be a central component at the Congress. You can help support rewilding efforts here.

CITES CoP20 – November 24 – December 5, 2025

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is the global mechanism that keeps wildlife trade from pushing species toward extinction.
The member Parties will meet soon for the 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP20) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from November 24 to December 5, 2025, to vote on new proposals. Elephanatics and our coalition believe some of these proposals pose a serious threat. We have submitted a letter to Canada’s CITES Management Authority outlining our opposition and calling for immediate action to oppose these proposals. Please review our urgent position letter here: Canada CITES Management Authority SUBMISSION

We are deeply grateful for your support and shared love of elephants and all wildlife. Let’s keep working together to help our fellow friends! Enjoy the fall season ahead.

The ELEPHANATICS Team

Elephanatics Newsletter September 2025

Published on September 8, 2025November 3, 2025 by elephanatic

Back to School Edition

At Elephanatics Foundation, we’re committed to educating the next generation. We believe that fostering a deep understanding of elephants—their vital role as a keystone species and their status as iconic mammals crucial to local and global ecosystems—is the cornerstone for building the next generation of future conservationists.

Elephanatics Education Resources for Teachers | Educators | Homeschools

To better support teachers and students, we have created new, updated, and personalized lesson plans tailored for elementary and secondary educators. Access our full range of elementary and intermediary lesson plans, designed for both Canadian and US curriculums, with a simple click! Available below for immediate download:

For elementary and secondary school educators – bring a wildlife ranger or elephant researcher into your classroom! To find out more click here.
Check out our lesson plans on elephant ecology and action! Click here to learn more.
NEW! Request a teacher to do a virtual presentation in your classroom! Pick a special day like #WorldElephantDay #WorldWildlifeDay or #EarthDay to make it even more impactful! Or, just pick any day that suits you!

On behalf of the Fran Duthie (Elephanatics) African Elephant Conservation Scholarship, Mara Elephant Project is thrilled to welcome four incredible young conservation champions into the herd!
These four candidates were chosen not only for their passion and drive, but also because they represent the communities Mara Elephant Project partners with to protect wildlife and their habitats. Amos and Faith are from the Loita area and are passionate about its preservation. Additionally, Sarah and Robert are from key operational areas in the Mara where the community is critical to supporting MEP’s coexistence efforts. Together, they represent the future of conservation, leaders driven by resilience, passion, and a vision for thriving communities and wild spaces. Congratulations, Faith Leuka, Amos Baari, Robert Muli and Sarah Loiman!
Read more about their journeys here.

A huge, heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating #WorldElephantDay with a donation!
This year, Elephanatics was honored to partner with the Mara Elephant Project (MEP), an organization on the front lines of elephant conservation in Kenya, Africa. Our shared goal was to raise awareness and critical funds for the Loita Forest in Kenya, a lush and biodiverse habitat that is not only home to a thriving elephant population but also a sanctuary for many other rare and endangered species.
Our initial target was to raise $1,200, and we are beyond grateful to share that with a generous dollar-for-dollar match from Elephanatics, we completely surpassed that goal!
Your contributions will directly fund the Mara Elephant Project’s crucial on-the-ground efforts—from anti-poaching patrols that keep elephants safe, to community-led programs that resolve human-wildlife conflicts. Every dollar donated will be put to work immediately, ensuring the guardians of this forest have the resources they need to protect this precious ecosystem.
Thank you for being an essential part of the solution where together we are helping to protect and build a world where elephants and all wildlife can thrive.

Conservation and Technology

Can Tech Turn the Tide on Wildlife Crime?

As one of the world’s most profitable international crimes, the illicit wildlife trade generates billions in revenue each year. The criminal syndicates responsible for poaching and illegal resource extraction are highly organized and well-funded. Find out how scalable innovation is being used as a strategic tool to effectively counter this global threat. Read more here.

Interested in supporting our work? Click here to donate.

Thank you for your support!

ELEPHANATICS TEAM

Happy #WorldElephantDay 2025

Published on August 12, 2025January 6, 2026 by elephanatic

Today we pause to give thanks and respect to the matriarchs who shape our world – from elephants to humans!

The theme of World Elephant Day 2025 is “Matriarchs & Memories.” The theme is a tribute to the deep emotional lives and social intelligence of elephants and serves as a call to action to protect both the physical presence of elephants and the cultural and biological heritage they represent.

We would like to thank everyone who has donated to our fundraiser to help support Mara Elephant Project. Their goal to raise funds to preserve a section of the Loita Forest in Kenya for elephants, other wildlife and communities, is one of their largest projects to date. They have forged partnerships in the forest to pay people to protect and preserve the land, solidify MEP’s ongoing protection efforts and create an elephant easement that provides shelter for the gentle giants that call it home.

Your donations help them fund critical activities to protect this area. Please continue to help them preserve a forest for elephants, people and the planet.

Double your impact today on #WED!

#Donate – rb.gy/7k17mg

Fran Duthie African Elephant Scholarship 2025

Published on July 30, 2025November 3, 2025 by elephanatic

📣 Congratulations 📣 to the four new recipients chosen for the Fran Duthie African Elephant Conservation Scholarship, 2025! 🎓

Mara Elephant Project is thrilled to welcome four incredible young conservation champions into the 2025 Fran Duthie (Elephanatics) African Elephant Conservation Scholarship herd.

Faith Leuka – A passionate forestry student and community leader from Narok, committed to sustainable land use and empowering women in conservation. Faith is currently undertaking her Diploma in Forestry at the Kenya Forestry College in Kericho.

Amos Baari – A climate advocate and pastoralist champion pursuing his Master’s in Climate Change and Environment, working to bridge pastoralist livelihoods and biodiversity protection. Baari is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Climate Change and Environment at the University of Nairobi.

Robert Muli – A wildlife conservation student whose resilience and leadership have fueled his dream to strengthen community-based conservation and wildlife management. Muli is currently enrolled at the University of Eldoret, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Conservation and Management.

Sarah Loiman – A dedicated student from Narok with aspirations in Environmental Science, determined to give back through education, outreach, and wildlife protection. Sarah is pursuing a Bachelor of Environmental Science at Kenyatta University.

These four candidates were chosen not only for their passion and drive, but also because they represent the communities Mara Elephant Project partners with to protect wildlife and their habitats. Amos and Faith are from the Loita area and are passionate about its preservation. Additionally, Sarah and Robert are from key operational areas in the Mara where the community is critical to supporting MEP’s coexistence efforts. Together, they represent the future of conservation, leaders driven by resilience, passion, and a vision for thriving communities and wild spaces.

If you wish to support the next generation of wildlife conservationists in Kenya visit the Mara Elephant Project donate page and leave a note that it is for the scholarship.

Our future lies in their hands!

#FranDuthieScholarship #MaraElephant

World Elephant Day is August 12th

Published on July 22, 2025January 6, 2026 by elephanatic

Until August 12th, every dollar you donate to Mara Elephant Project through this fundraiser will be matched by Elephanatics up to a total of $1200!

World Elephant Day is a day that brings the world together to help elephants. This year Elephanatics is partnering with the Mara Elephant Project for WED to raise awareness and funds for the Loita Forest that forms the eastern part of the Greater Mara Ecosystem and is home to not just elephants, but many rare species. The virgin, old-growth, afro-montane forest is one of the most beautiful and intact forests in East Africa. The forest faces significant threats, particularly from current subdivision of communal to private title deed ownership. This subdivision is causing land use change which accelerates the destruction of the forest jeopardizing the wildlife residing within and the surrounding rangelands. Importantly, the rangelands serve as crucial protective buffers and movement corridors for elephants and other wildlife.

A unique opportunity is available for MEP to purchase 1,000 acres or 100 high-value parcels adjacent to the forest core, near wetlands or within corridors, to put into a Conservation Land Trust. Owning these parcels would create a figurative mote that surrounds the 58% of the forest that is community owned, less inhabited, but still at risk of destruction. It also ensures MEP jurisdiction in perpetuity providing a permanent barrier where MEP can enforce forest protection effectively blocking illegal habitat destruction activity from reaching the 58% of the forest.

Their goal is to raise $100,000 in August, which would take them over halfway toward their project funding goal in 2025.

Your much needed donations will be matched and will fund critical activities to protect this area.

We thank you for your continued support. Please donate at: rb.gy/7k17mg

Mara Elephant Project USA, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting the efforts of Mara Elephant Project to protect elephants and their habitats across the Greater Mara Ecosystem in Kenya.

Visit their website at https://maraelephantproject.org for more information.

Thank you.

The Elephanatics Team

Elephanatics Newsletter July 2025

Published on July 7, 2025July 8, 2025 by elephanatic

The Elephant Days of Summer!

Summer is here, a time for relaxation and reflection. Here are some wins and good news on our radar for our elephant lovers!

The Fran Duthie African Elephant Conservation Scholarship application for 2025 is now open and will be administered by the Mara Elephant Project. Accepting applications until the end of July, this scholarship provides financial support, and hands-on training for Kenyan students. The scholarship is intended for students pursuing conservation or a related field. The goal of this scholarship is to provide financial support to Kenyan nationals acquiring a technical certificate, undergraduate or postgraduate degree in an area related to conservation and the protection of wildlife. Alongside the financial support, this scholarship will provide practical experience to the scholar during their studies by undertaking a 1-month internship with a Kenyan conservation organization.

Apply today -> https://buff.ly/haSKLIw

We’re thrilled to share that The Mara Elephant Project is currently hosting recipient Mary Wangari at HQ for a one-month internship. Read more here.

It takes a village! A big elephantine thank you to Vegan Supply for once again letting us be their ‘jar donation’ recipient for the month of June. With their support we were able to raise funds to support our education and conservation programs. Vegan Supply is one of North America’s largest vegan online marketplaces.

Mark Your Calendars! August 12th is World Elephant Day!

#worldelephantday is a day that brings the world together to help elephants. This year Elephanatics is partnering with the Mara Elephant Project for WED to raise awareness and funds for the Loita Forest that forms the eastern part of the Greater Mara Ecosystem and is home to not just elephants but many rare species. The virgin, old-growth, afro-montane forest is one of the most beautiful and intact forests in East Africa. The forest faces significant threats, particularly from current subdivision of communal to private title deed ownership. This subdivision is causing land use change which accelerates the destruction of the forest jeopardizing the wildlife residing within and the surrounding rangelands. Your much needed donations will be matched and will fund critical activities to protect this area. Donate here.

Advocacy Alert

Working in collaboration with other global NGOs the Elephanatics team has sent letters to MPs and Federal Ministers regarding the urgent need for a global agreement, taking the form of an additional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) to tackle the illegal wildlife trade.
Supporting the work of Global Initiative to end Wildlife Crime, Elephanatics will continue to engage and advocate for urgent action to be taken to bring to fruition a global treaty to combat the illegal trade by integrating offences into international criminal law. Read more here.

Fun Fact!

How can you tell the difference between elephant and mammoth ivory? To save elephant populations from extinction, the international community banned the sale of their ivory—but selling mammoth ivory remains legal, and the two are difficult to tell apart, especially for non-experts. This leaves a possible loophole for sellers of poached ivory to exploit. Now stable isotope analysis could provide a cheap, rapid option to speed up sample screening and stop the sale of elephant ivory! Read more here.

(Photo credit: Unsplash CCo Public Domain)

Enjoy the rest of the summer everyone!

Elephanatics Team