Tag: African elephants

Elephanatics Newsletter – August

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Greetings fellow elephant lovers! We hope you are enjoying summer and finding time to get outside and explore the many wonders of nature. We have some good news for elephants this report and many ways you can participate to join us in helping them. Thank you for continuing to support elephants!

Celebrating the 13th Annual World Elephant Day |August 12th, 2024 

 

Photo cr. Patricia Sims

Join us in celebrating the 13th annual World Elephant Day (WED), founded by Canadian conservationist and filmmaker, Patricia Sims. WED is globally recognized for elephant conservation organizations to bring awareness to their conservation programs that protect elephants and their habitats – a very important day to fundraise to support respective elephant conservation initiatives.

This year Elephanatics and long-term partners, Mara Elephant Project and World Elephant Day, are joining forces to make WED a mutually beneficial and positive collaboration for elephants. Patricia Sims will be visiting MEP, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Reteti Elephant Sanctuary and Save the Elephants to learn first-hand issues facing elephants and how to collaborate to ensure their long-term survival.

Patricia’s trip will help to further develop the relationships WED has with these organizations  and continue to build upon the growing importance of the annual World Elephant Day campaign to bring global attention to the critical issues that threaten the future survival of elephants by educating the public about the solutions that these organizations are undertaking  to help mitigate these threats – and how people can help.

Stay tuned for more information on Patricia’s planned activities in Kenya by following World Elephant Day  here.

Meet the New Class of Fran Duthie Scholarship Participants 2024

 

Inaugurated in 2022, the Fran Duthie African Elephant Conservation Scholarship has supported Janeth Jepkemboi, the inaugural recipient, who is now completing her MSC in Environmental Studies. This year four more eager students are recipients of the award helping to ensure that Kenyan youth are leading conservation efforts in their country. Read more about the recipients and join us in celebrating World Elephant Day by donating to the Fran Duthie Scholarship here.

Elephanatics Continues Its Advocacy Efforts

  • The recent killing of five big tuskers along the Kenyan Tanzanian border, breaking a 30-year moratorium, has roused global concern. With as few as 50 big tuskers alive in Africa these elephants are critically important for stability in elephant societies, their habitats, and ecosystems. Elephanatics has sent a letter to Minister Stephen Guilbeault asking to use Canada’s international influence, and powers of collaboration to protect these few remaining tuskers. Read letter here.

 

  • A coalition of organizations co-signed a letter written by the Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime, September 2023, addressing the need to strengthen the international legal framework to tackle the illegal wildlife trade (IWT). Elephanatics has since written letters to Members of Parliament across Canada and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Stephen Guilbeault, to follow up on our ask and to encourage MPs to speak with Minister Guilbeault and other members of Parliament to address this issue as a matter of urgency. A global agreement taking the form of an additional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is urgently required to provide an international legal framework that will address the multi-billion-dollar illegal wildlife trade. Read letter  here.

NEW EDUCATION RESOURCE!
Bring a Wildlife Ranger or Researcher into Your Classroom

Elephanatics and Mara Elephant Project are offering educators a unique opportunity to invite via Zoom a Mara Elephant Project ranger or researcher into your classroom. Students will have the chance to interact with a Kenyan conservationist and learn more about the work they are doing to protect elephants and their habitats in the Greater Mara Ecosystem. This is a completely free opportunity to global educators – Book your session here.

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

Meet the New Class of Fran Duthie Scholarship Recipients 2024!

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cr. Larry Lavery photo

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

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!

………………………………

The Fran Duthie African Elephant Conservation Scholarship overseen by Mara Elephant Project launched in 2022 provides financial assistance to Kenyans pursuing conservation or related fields through a technical certificate, undergraduate or postgraduate degree. The inaugural recipient Janeth Jepkemboi is completing her MSc in Environmental Studies after spending time at MEP HQ in the first quarter, and now a new group of students is eager to follow her lead as the next recipients of the scholarship. After a thorough selection process, we are pleased to introduce the four new students receiving the Fran Duthie African Elephant Conservation Scholarship.

https://buff.ly/3UULV8s

African Elephant Scholarship Update!

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The Fran Duthie African Elephant Conservation Scholarship (Elephanatics) overseen by Mara Elephant Project launched in 2022 with the inaugural recipient Janeth Jepkemboi starting her MSc in Environmental Studies in September 2022 at Karatina University.
Now in her second, and final year, of the program, she’s focusing on her thesis. Janeth began her research internship at MEP HQ last week and is working on gathering the evidence needed to defend her thesis. Beyond completing her thesis work, Janeth has been learning about the work of MEP’s long-term monitoring team, and the suite of tools used for data collection and analysis, and we even had her join a visitor group. Thank you to every donor who has supported the scholarship fund, especially Fran and Lorne Duthie, for making it all possible.
As Janeth says, “the scholarship brought a renewed motivation to continue making a positive impact in the field of conservation, coupled with a heightened sense of responsibility to maximize the opportunities it presents,” and we look forward to extending this opportunity again in 2024.
You can donate to either Mara Elephant Project or Elephanatics for this scholarship. Be sure to stipulate where you want your money to go in the donate section. Thank you.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7155242928196485120/

 

 

Holiday Greetings From Elephanatics

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This year has proven to be our best yet with the historic ban of elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn being passed in Canada. We all worked very hard to make this happen and we couldn’t have done it without your huge support. Our #IvoryFreeCanada campaign and petition set the stage for success! We thank you!

We look forward to celebrating further accomplishments in the future for elephants.

Wishing you all the very best for the holiday season!

The Elephanatics Team

Elephanatics December Newsletter

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Dreams can come true!

Good News to Celebrate this Holiday Season!

On November 20th , 2023 the Canadian Government passed the ban on domestic trade in elephant ivory and rhino horn, as well as the import of hunting trophies containing these parts. The landmark measures fulfill a 2021 Ministerial mandate and are a critical step in protecting these iconic species. Canada now joins the UK, France, China, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Belgium, Luxembourg, the EU, and nearly every state in the United States who has closed or has severe restrictions on their ivory markets.

Elephanatics created the Ivory-Free Canada campaign then joined by Humane Society International Canada, Rhino and Elephant Defenders, World Elephant Day and the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, to form the Ivory Free Canada coalition. Together, we were relentless in our mission to get this ban passed!

Fran Duthie, Elephanatics founder and President says “The team at Elephanatics is thrilled that regulations to ban the elephant ivory and rhino horn trade, along with the import of trophy hunts and their parts, are to be enacted by the Canadian Government. We would like to thank all our supporters, our coalition partners, conservationists, scientists, politicians, volunteers, journalists, and people who worked tirelessly to make this happen. From the petition created by the Ivory Free Canada coalition that reached over 700,000 signatures, showing overwhelming support to save elephants and rhinos, to endless advocacy, to the collaboration of like minds working together to save a species, our mission has come to fruition. It is a time to be grateful and to celebrate this grand achievement. We did it!” Read more here.

This holiday season, please consider making a donation to the Fran Duthie African Elephant scholarship, distributed by Mara Elephant Project, to create more opportunities for Kenyan students pursuing a career in conservation. To learn more, click here. To donate, click here.

The #HolidaysAreComing! Get your 20% discount on ALL our merchandise until Dec 25th. Whether it’s for the holiday season or another celebration, we have a gift for you. Your purchase goes towards the conservation of saving elephants and wildlife in Africa.

Thanks again for your support. Together we have made a vital difference for elephants and rhinos and together we can continue to ensure that they have a bright future ahead.

Wishing you and yours all the very best for a happy, healthy, prosperous, holiday season and New Year ahead.

The Elephanatics Team

BREAKING NEWS: Canada enacts historic ban on elephant ivory and rhino horn trade

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Elephanatics is Ecstatic to Announce:

After 8 long years of advocating for a ban on elephant ivory and rhino horn in Canada, regulations have been enacted by the Canadian Government to ban the elephant ivory and rhino horn trade, along with the import of hunting trophies containing these parts. We couldn’t be happier to deliver this news to all our followers and supporters who have been our backbone and inspiration to carry on and get this job done! It took a lot of courage, but – We did it!

Firstly – A HUGE shout out to us – ‘Team Elephanatics’ – who created the #IvoryFreeCanada campaign and were joined by Humane Society International Canada, Rhino and Elephant Defenders, World Elephant Day and the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, to form the Ivory Free Canada coalition. Together, we have been relentless in our mission to get this ban passed!

And secondly, an even bigger thanks to all the scientists, NGOs, politicians, the Ivory Free Canada coalition, volunteers, friends, family, educators, journalists, and people who worked tirelessly to make this happen. From the petition, started by the Ivory Free Canada coalition, that reached over 700,000 signatures that showed overwhelming support by citizens to save elephants and rhinos; to endless advocacy; to the collaboration of like minds working together to save a species, the end result has been a success. It took a village and a community dedicated to the cause of making the world a better place for elephants to get this done and we should all be stupendously proud of our efforts!

Who would have ever guessed that a small group of committed and disciplined people, who advocated for the betterment of elephants, could evoke such integrity and inspiration from like-minded partners, and see their dream come to fruition. We are humbled and grateful.

With deepest respect, thanks, and love, to everyone who was part of this enormous endeavour.

Fran Duthie
President Elephanatics

“With courage, you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.”

Mark Twain

Read Full Press Release  – Humane Society International Canada

https://www.hsi.org/news-resources/canada-enacts-historic-ban-on-elephant-ivory-and-rhino-horn-trade/

It’s Giving Tuesday – November 28th!

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This #GivingTuesday, you can support the next generation of Kenyan conservationists by contributing to the Fran Duthie African Elephant Conservation Scholarship distributed by Mara Elephant Project (MEP).

Your support will help grow the fund to create more opportunities for students pursuing a degree in a conservation related field. Students like Janeth Jepkemboi, the first recipient of the scholarship says, “My continued studies in environmental science have furthered my passion for conservation. This scholarship is an opportunity for me to gain skills that I will use to put my passion to action at a Kenyan conservation organization. This type of opportunity is the best way for me to influence policy that safeguards livelihoods while still protecting biodiversity.” The scholarship also supports building Janeth’s field experience and resume through an internship at MEP.

Give to help young Kenyans like Janeth gain the education and experience they need to find solutions that benefit both people and wildlife. The future of our planet depends on it!

Donate this GIVING TUESDAY here *Please state in the comments section under ‘Donate Now’ that you would like your money deposited to the Fran Duthie African Elephant Project Scholarship.

Elephanatics November 2023 Newsletter

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Greetings Elephant Friends!

Please read the latest news in what we have been up to over the past few months.

 

Giving Tuesday is November 28th – Give to Help Protect Elephants

Read more about Janeth Jepkemboi, the first scholarship recipient here.

The Fran Duthie African Elephant Conservation Scholarship in Partnership with the Mara Elephant Project is a scholarship that provides financial support to Kenyan nationals in studies related to conservation. In its second year this scholarship provides financial support to youth working to protect and safeguard Africa’s wildlife now and into the future. Your support will help grow the fund to create more opportunities for students, like Janeth, to pursue a degree in a conservation related field and gain the experience they need to find solutions that benefit both people and wildlife.

Donate this GIVING TUESDAY here *Please state in the comments section under ‘Donate Now’ that you would like your money deposited to the Fran Duthie African Elephant Project Scholarship.

Ivory-Free-Canada Campaign to End the Legal Trade of Ivory in Canada – UPDATE

 

Thanks to all of you for your continued support to end the legal trade of elephant ivory and rhino horn in Canada. In our last update to you, the Prime Minister’s office had mandated Steven Gilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, to implement regulations that would end the trade. We have assurances this is slowly making its way through the Minister’s office but has not been implemented yet. Please standby for further updates. Meanwhile, let’s keep up the pressure and continue to sign and share the #IvoryFreeCanada petition here.

We are hopeful!

Strengthening the International Legal Framework to Tackle the International Wildlife Trade

Elephanatics co-signed and supports a letter written by John Scanlon, Chair, Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime, which addresses the need to strengthen the international legal framework against wildlife trafficking. The letter was sent to Canada’s Environment Minister, Steven Guilbeault, requesting the Government of Canada support an additional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) underscoring the urgent need to take action against the estimated $7 – $23 billion trade in illegal wildlife per year. Read more here.

Education Education Education!

 

At Elephanatics we believe that education is the leading factor in spreading awareness about the wonders and importance of the elephant and why they need protecting!

By learning about elephants and sharing with friends, peers, family members, classmates, and educators, we can create a culture of conservation and caring for our planet’s most incredible and unique wildlife. Download this brochure for quick facts, or to book a classroom presentation. Click here to access our free online educational resources for teachers “Elephants: The Need For their Survival”.

 

Thank you for your continued support and stay tuned for #GivingTuesday!

The Elephanatics Team

 

FREE and FUN – Elephant Lesson Plans for Teachers and Educators

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Download –  Elephanatics Education Brochure"Elephanatics Foundation - Free elephant conservation lesson plans, toolkits for teachers, and persuasive essay resources."