African Elephant Scholarship Update!

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/

 

 

Elephanatics December Newsletter

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

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!

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strengthening the International Legal Framework to Tackle IWT

Elephanatics, along with other organizations and subject-matter experts, has co-signed and supports initiatives introduced and outlined in a letter written by John Scanlon, Chair, Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime. The letter addresses the need to strengthen the international legal framework against wildlife trafficking and was sent to Canada’s Environment Minister, Steven Guilbeault, requesting the Government of Canada support an additional Protocol to the UNTOC to prevent and combat wildlife trafficking.
Please read letter in full in link below.

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P. Minister of Environment and Climate Change House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
via email: Steven.Guilbeault@parl.gc.ca

cc:
Hon. Mélanie Joly, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs melanie.joly@parl.gc.ca
Hon. Arif Virani, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada arif.virani@parl.gc.ca

September 7th, 2023

Dear Minister Guilbeault,

We are writing to better understand Canada’s views on how best to tackle wildlife trafficking at the international level, and to encourage the Government to further consider the merits of an additional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).
The size and scale of wildlife trafficking is a truly global challenge and one that demands urgent action. The value of illegal trade has been estimated at between $7 and $23 billion per year. A report by FINTRAC acknowledges that “illegal wildlife trade not only affects Canada, but poses a serious threat internationally”. Canada has signaled that this is a priority issue to address, both at home and abroad, and we were pleased to see the inclusion of the subject in the December 2021 Mandate Letter for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) committing Canada to “work with partners to curb illegal wildlife trade”…….

Read letter here:  Letter on strengthening the international legal framework to tackle IWT – Government of Canada

 

 

 

Happy World Elephant Day 2023!

Celebrate #WorldElephantDay today by donating to your favourite elephant conservation organization!

#IvoryFreeCanada

https://worldelephantday.org/news/2023/08/an-ivory-free-canada-is-almost-here?fbclid=IwAR3C1NkJYmbs8UaZEThTsfDDR81gd38sJtQerwN9kkLGvTRtm5oXtH1x4h4

Breaking News for Elephants and Rhinos!

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

Help Canada save elephants and rhinos from poaching and trophy hunting!

Every year, up to 25,000 elephants and 1,300 rhinos die at the hands of poachers in Africa, and thousands more are killed by trophy hunters. Elephants and rhinoceros could be extinct within our lifetimes if urgent action is not taken to save them.

Canada is on the verge of enacting some of the strongest trade-related protections for elephants and rhinos in the world. The proposed regulations would ban elephant ivory and rhino horn trade in Canada, along with imports of hunting trophies made from these parts.

To enact these critical protections for elephants and rhinos, Canada has launched a consultation seeking widespread approval of the proposed regulations.

Help end Canada’s role in the demise of African elephants and rhinos and sign on to an official petition supporting the proposed regulations now!

and follow instructions to sign and share. Thank you.