News
The Ewaso Lions traveled to the US to speak at the Wildlife Conservation Network in October. Their talk is powerful and moving, and it's now availble to watch online. From Ewaso Lions "It was an unprecedented moment for us - with our full team of four on stage, led by the indomitable Resson, which made for a powerful talk."
Save the Elephants has created this wonderful video that tells the story of an elephant called Luna. We hope it helps convey the importance of the work that Save the Elephants does, and why we are committed to supporting it. We hope that you will donate today to help us raise money for this amazing project!
“Luna is a 19 year old female matriarch who shares our home in Samburu National Park in northern Kenya. Luna was orphaned at age nine when she lost almost her entire family during the poaching epidemic.
In 2013, Save the Elephants fitted Luna with a satellite-tracking collar to understand the strategies that orphaned elephants use to survive in the wild. Luna’s late mother Neptune was one of the first females collared and tracked by Save the Elephants more than 20 years ago, so it seemed fitting her daughter should follow in her steps.
WHY TRACKING COLLARS?
Elephants are known to cross vast distances in a single day.
Satellite tracking collars give us real time data on elephant journeys. The weight of a collar on an elephant is the equivalent of a small pendant necklace around your neck. It doesn’t bother them, and it allows us to track them without getting in their way.
This technology and round the clock monitoring ensures Luna and all the other elephants in Northern Kenya have a long and safe future on our planet.
It costs $10,000 to monitor and protect a single elephant. This includes the cost of purchase of the collar, deployment using bush planes, drugs for immobilisation and vet support, battery power for three years as well as the data and analysis.
To give you an idea of what can be achieved with your donation:
$3,000 will purchase an elephant monitoring collar
$1,000 can keep STE’s bush planes in the air for nearly 3 hours of aerial patrols
$600 will pay for a local ranger's salary for three months
$250 will pay for veterinary drugs used during a collaring mission
$100 will pay for a week's worth of internet at our research camp in Samburu” - Save the Elephants
We are so excited to announce that we are having a trunk show in Santa Fe on December 15th. Join us for wine and champagne and a special holiday shopping event:
Sunday, Dec. 15th 1-6pm
212 E. Cordova Rd. Santa Fe
Shop WWW's unique collection of handmade goods from around the world, including home accessories, jewelry, bags and more.
Hope to see you and yours there!
THAILAND with Lek and Save Elephant Foundation
January 28-February 10th 2020
On this once in a lifetime trip through the beautiful country of Thailand, we will tour Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. While in Chiang Mai, we will spend two days with Lek Chailert of Save Elephant Foundation at Elephant Nature Park. We will get to meet some of the elephants and learn about Lek’s work to save elephants from abuse. This is a small group tour and space is limited. Get in touch to inquire about pricing and availability.
Itinerary:
Tuesday Jan. 28 - The Great City of Angels, Welcome to Bangkok
Wednesday Jan. 29th - Bangkok multi-transport adventure
Thursday Jan. 30th - Morning liquid Bangkok headlights adventure
Friday Jan. 31st - Flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Saturday Feb. 1st - A day with Lek at Elephant Nature Park
Sunday Feb. 2nd - A day with Lek at Elephant Nature Park
Monday Feb. 3rd - Chiang Mai countryside walking, and Thai kitchen live dinner at Rim Tai Kitchen, the Four Seasons Chiang Mai
Tuesday Feb. 4th - Lamphun and Lampang temples and villages
Wednesday Feb. 5th - Lampang’s mountain top temple
Thursday Feb. 6th - Flight from Chiang Mai to Hanoi, and a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake
Friday Feb. 7th - Hanoi inside and out
Saturday Feb. 8th - Hanoi backstreets adventure by vintage minsk and water puppets
Sunday Feb. 9th - Transfer to Ha Long Bay for an overnight on Bhaya 7 cabin boat
Monday Feb. 10th - Back to Hanoi and onward
Male longhorn bees sleeping on grassland vegetation. Image courtesy of WWF US / Clay Bolt
“All wildernesses speak the same language, if you know how to listen.
Since 2010 on average over a million acres of grassland have been plowed up across the Northern Great Plains for row crop agriculture…. It rarely makes headlines. Where is the public outcry?”
The Northern Great Plains is one of the world’s four remaining intact temperate grasslands. Made up of 180 million acres in the US and Canada, it is home to countless species, including the endangered black footed ferret. Keeping the grasslands intact is crucial to conserve biodiversity. Keeping these lands as grasslands also means less fertilizer runoff from row crop agriculture, more carbon absorption, and cleaner streams.
Black-footed Ferret. Image courtesy of WWF
One WWF initiative is to restore populations of black-footed ferrets to the region. The biggest threat to the black-footed ferrets is the sylvatic plague that is rampant among their prey - prairie dogs. To grow the black-footed ferret population to sustainable numbers, we must help WWF raise funds to mitigate the plague.
Plague mitigation at Fort Belknap, in Montana, the 6th federally-designated black-footed ferret reintroduction site, and the first reintroduction to occur on Tribal land costs $25 an acre. With 2000 acres at this site, it costs $50,000 annually. Additionally, annual prairie dog and ferret monitoring and vaccination costs $35,000, for a biologist and technicians.
In South Dakota, WWF is working with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe's Department of Natural Resources and Game, Fish and Parks to reintroduce black-footed ferrets. The goal for this project is to build a common understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing communities and Tribal programs alike that leads to the creation of an inspiring, community-supported conservation area.
Another aspect of WWF’s NGP Program is sustainable ranching. When properly managed, cattle and bison can have conservation benefits, as grazing maintains the health of grasslands, improves the quality of the soil and keeps the land as a possible wildlife habitat, instead of turning it into cropland. WWF has been working with ranchers throughout the Northern Great Plains region to develop more holistic practices in ranching. During our Advisory Committee Meeting, we had the most wonderful dinner out in the plains with some of the ranchers. It was catered by Kimberly Tilsen-Brave Heart, an amazing woman of Oglala Lakota Nation of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
We must never forget the fragility of this most magnificent land. We must listen.
Yai Boon, recovering at Elephant Nature Park. Photo courtesy of Elephant Nature Park and Save Elephant Foundation.
You may remember Yai Boon, a 70 year old, skinny and overworked elephant, who was rescued last month by Lek Chailert and brought to Elephant Nature Park. We were overjoyed to get an update on her condition from Lek this week, who says that she is doing much better.
Yai Boon, before her rescue. Photo courtesy of Elephant Nature Park and Save Elephant Foundation.
Yai Boon, recovering at Elephant Nature Park. Photo courtesy of Elephant Nature Park and Save Elephant Foundation.
Yai Boon, recovering at Elephant Nature Park. Photo courtesy of Elephant Nature Park and Save Elephant Foundation.
“Big Gains for Yai Boon after four weeks. Her weight has improved almost three hundred kilograms. Not only food can do this but her recovery is aided by love and care, rest and medical attention. Soon she will be healthy again.”
Yai Boon, recovering at Elephant Nature Park. Photo courtesy of Elephant Nature Park and Save Elephant Foundation.
Photo courtesty of Ewaso Lions
The African lion population has declined by 43% in the last 20 years and lions now occupy only 8% of their historical range in Africa. The estimated number of lions across Africa is as few as 20,000, with numbers now less than 2000 in Kenya. Please join us in supporting Ewaso Lions , an important organization working with communities to save lions in Kenya. We are excited to announce that an amazing donor has generously pledged a matching challenge grant of $4500, please donate today to help us reach this goal and give Ewaso Lions the support they desperately need to save these special and endangered animals.
This Challenge Grant will fund Ewaso Lions including:
$80 a month for one teacher’s salary
$150 a month for the Mama Simba Coordinators
$150 a month for the Warriors salaries
$405 a month for an Ewaso Lions vehicle
$3000 for Lion’s Kid Camp for 25 kids for 5 days
“At current rates of decline, the species could become extinct here within the next two decades. This reduction in lion numbers is primarily due to habitat loss and conflict with humans, typically when lions kill people’s livestock. Lions and other large carnivores are wide-ranging species and designated protected areas are often not large enough to ensure their long-term survival. Therefore, it is crucial that conservation of these species, as well as their prey, is addressed throughout the landscape, which not only incorporates protected areas but also the surrounding areas where local people live
Ewaso Lions is dedicated to conserving lions and other large carnivores by promoting co-existence between people and wildlife. We work hand-in-hand with local communities to provide education, training and improved conservation practices that help people and wildlife. We use sound science to help guide the long-term conservation of lions across community conservancies and protected areas in northern Kenya.”
Herding children playing the conservation game, crawling blindfolded and masked through the burning bush © Danni Parks / Ewaso Lions
Ewaso Lions promotes the co-existence of people and wildlife by working directly with local communities to provide education and conservation. Their programs include the Lion Kids Camp, Warrior Watch, and Mama Simba. This past year they expanded to three new conservancies, and 10 lion cubs were born within the Ewaso Lion Conservation Landscape (map below).
The Lion Kids Camp was created to inspire a whole new generation of wildlife conservationists. Since 2015, 10 camps have run with the next generation featuring a combination of wildlife education, safaris and conservation-themed games and activities.
The Warrior Watch plays a vital role in monitoring wildlife and stopping conflict between humans and lions. In 2018 there were 699 patrols, 4,684 km of foot patrols covered, 1472 direct sightings of wildlife, 32 times lions were saved from the imminent threat of death, 64 times warriors responded to human-lion conflict. Jeneria and the other warriors were featured on a recent episode of Wildlife Warriors, which can be watched in it’s entirety here.
The Mama Simba is comprised of a group of 19 women, led by the Mama Simba Coordinators Munteli & Mparasaroi. Together with other women in their communities these women are true powerhouses and they spread the conservation message, report on lion sightings and conflict incidents. This past year, the Mama Simba visited the Maasai Mara to learn new ideas for conservation in the Samburu.
“Key to our empowerment strategy is giving women exposure to new places and experiences, so they can infuse fresh ideas into the way they want to do conservation. The Mama Simba ladies’ visit to the Maasai Mara signals to us a sea-change in how they think about their landscape. While they gasped with wonder at topis, wildebeest and rhinos - animals they had never seen before - they lamented the extensive
fencing across the Mara and its implications for livestock and wildlife. Having seen their first pride of lions in the Mara - a whopping 22 strong pride - they returned more determined than ever to speak for the lions of Samburu. And speak they did. Even before they got home, the women who had long been voiceless, called conservancy managers to tell them what they had seen, and to set up meetings where they could talk about conservation. With their eyes wide open, and their voices louder than ever, the possibilities for the Mama Simba ladies are endless.”
“We saw more animals than we could count in the Mara. There is a lot of food for lions there, as opposed to Samburu where we have very little prey. But wildlife is facing major challenges in the future because of land sub-division and fencing. I would hate to see this happen to our land. Wildlife corridors will soon be lost and this will be very unfortunate.”
Map of Ewaso Lions conservation landscape, courtesy of Ewaso Lions
For all the coffee and elephant lovers in your life, we are excited to announce that we’ve just started stocking Elephant Nature Park Coffee in our shop.
We are now carrying 12 ounce bags of whole bean Karuna Medium Roast by Elephant Nature Park Coffee, which has chocolate, spicy and bright notes. By drinking this coffee you are directly supporting a world changing cause.
100% of profits from this coffee support Lek Chailert and Save Elephant Foundation’s Elephant Nature Park and the rescue and restoration of abused Asian elephants. This Thai blend contains coffee that is shade grown by hill tribe farmers in Northern Thailand as part of a reforestation, community development, and women’s empowerment initiative.
This coffee is perfect for weekends at home, or as a gift for a special someone. Stock up and support this important organization!
“Grevy's zebra foals and their protective mothers are inhabiting Naibelibeli plains in high numbers- over 20 very young foals were seen during a drive out to the plains yesterday morning. It is a testament to the good rains and plentiful pasture in Westgate Conservancy. The foals survival will be dependent on the onset of the rains in April, replenishing the diminishing pasture and water resources that are subject to increasing competition from livestock, wildlife and people as the dry season extends.” Image and caption courtesy of Grevy’s Zebra Trust
The Grevy's Zebra Trust conserves the endangered Grevy's zebra and its fragile habitat in partnership with communities. Grevy’s Zebra Scouts monitor them with GPS recordings. There are estimated to be just over 3000 Grevy’s zebras today. WorldWomenWork supports the 19 women scouts. These ladies are part of the WorldWomenWork Nkirreten Project which is equipping local women with the skills to produce their own reusable and biodegradable sanitary pads. This also ensures that girls are not missing out on school due to lack of sanitary pad supplies.
It’s been a while since we’ve shared an update about the important work that Grevy’s Zebra Trust is doing in Kenya and Ethiopia, but in the meantime they’ve been busy. Earlier this year Grevy’s Zebra Trust launched their strategic plan for 2019-2021 to conserve and grow the Grevy’s Zebra population in Northern Kenya.
The entire Grevy’s Zebra Trust Team - photo courtesy of Grevy’s Zebra Trust
“The new GZT Strategic Plan has put our activities into laser-sharp focus for the next three years! Our Mission? To conserve and grow the Grevy’s zebra population in northern Kenya.
To achieve this, every single member of the GZT family needs to be aware of the new strategy and the objectives and goals that will help us achieve our mission.
With 96 GZT family members at camp last week, we internally launched the new strategic plan through an incredible and inspiring two days of team building, where the activities focused around the major components of the plan. This has given us the strongest base to achieve conservation success.”
Photo courtesy of Grevy’s Zebra Trust
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Besides our women-focused scout program, GZT has also encouraged the local Nkirreten women in the Wamba region to participate in safeguarding their endangered Grevy’s zebras while also economically empowering themselves through the production of reusable sanitary pads. The dignity of the communities’ women and school going girls is preserved while the unique black and white stripped pads help spread the mission of our conservation efforts. ”
“As part of GZT’s school outreach program, our Wamba Regional Coordinator, Andrew Letura was accompanied by Jamarose, one of the Grevy’s zebra scouts to Ngaremara Primary School where pupils had an interactive session on how they could contribute towards the conservation of the endangered zebras in their local communities.” Caption and image courtesy of Grevy’s Zebra Trust.
“In Sukuroi zone, Westgate Conservancy, community members have been voluntarily clearing the invasive species, Acacia reficiens, from the rangelands. Nearly immediately, Grevy’s zebra moved into the cleared site, making the most of the open spaces to graze.” Caption and image courtesy of Grevy’s Zebra Trust.
“Our supplementary feeding program was a welcome relief for this herd of Grevy's zebras that was captured by one of GZT's camera traps feasting on the hay that was left for them at Tirgamo corridor in Laisamis.” Photo and caption courtesy of Grevy’s Zebra Trust
After traveling to Kenya on one of our Adventure Trips, and meeting this beautiful elephant, artist Kathryn Adele Schumacher created this stunning portrait in pastels to commemorate her time there.
“We saw tons of elephants— but that particular one struck me as I photographed him. He was so docile and approached us in the jeep like we were old friends. I loved his eyes.
Singer opened my eyes to the beauty of Africa and it’s enchanting nature. I first went with her back in 2011 and then I went with her again in 2013. I’ve seen five different countries and cannot wait to go back. ”
Kathryn Adele Schumacher has generously donated 10 prints of her award-winning elephant portrait to WorldWomenWork, and we have them available in our shop. They have professionally cut mats and are ready to frame. All proceeds from the sale of these prints will go directly to fund our projects, like Save the Elephants, which Kathryn Adele Schumacher got to visit in Kenya during her trip there.
Kathryn Adele Schumacher is a collage artist and painter based in Maine and Florida. Visit her website for more info about her work kathrynschumacherartist.com.
