WorldWomenWork Inspires: The Mama Simba and the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

 We seem to be lost in this world today. There is even more of a need to somehow connect to things that are real that lift our spirts. Munteli and the Mama Simba do just that. She invited me to spend the first 3 nights in her new "house" funded by WWW after it was blessed by the elders. She is conducting safaris for local women among all her other endeavors.

Two ladies from Wamba 45 km away called Munteli , above right, and said they had heard “there was a lady with beads from a village who drives” meaning a real Samburu Woman from a village. They didn’t believe this so hired a lorry to bring them to meet her ...

Retetti is the first community owned elephant sanctuary in Africa. In the two years since its inception it has rescued 38 orphaned baby elephants and one rhino. The oldest Shaba, three and a half years old, lost her Mother to poachers and now she is the matriarch of this herd.

What a wonderful WorldWomenWork Adventure Trip was had by all of us last winter. One of the highlights was spending 2 nights at Sarara, a magnificent camp set in wild beautiful country at the foot of the Matthews Range. We visited the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary and felt the magic of the elephant babies. We gave a donation of $9,000 to this fabulous sanctuary.

I thank all of you who make the work of WWW possible. I hope you feel inspired too!

2017 Highlights: The Orphan Project with Save the Elephants and more

2017 has been an amazing year for WorldWomenWork.

These are just a few of the highlights:
We have completed our $400,000 commitment to "The Orphan Project" with Save The Elephants. An orphan sanctuary for Grevy's Zebra has been built at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in Northern Kenya and a workshop for the Grevy's Zebra Nkirreten (sanitary pad) Project has been built. A beautiful safari bus has been acquired and outfitted for conservation expeditions for Ewaso Lions. And two great WorldWomenWork adventure trips, Walking with Elephants in Myanmar and Walking in Zambia and Botswana have changed lives!

2017 with WorldWomenWork thanks to your efforts.

The brutality of humanity is often too much to bare, but there are still true inspirations happening all around us.

Munteli and her new companion Nanyori sit in her Suzuki below. The Mama Simba are powerful women who by learning to read and write are taking on the world for their lions!
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You, our donors, are a powerful force because you make it all happen.
YOU ARE WORLDWOMENWORK.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

With Thanks and Gratitude, Singer

Northern Great Plains

Monica Terkildsen (standing next to the buffalo sculpture), is an Oglala Lakota from Pine Ridge. Jonny Bearcub Stiffarm, is an enrolled member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Nation, and the Fort Peck Buffalo Administrator.

WWW is pleased to be able to support these incredible women leaders in their conservation activities on the Northern Great Plains. It is vitaly important for the Tribes to be able to have buffalo back on their lands. The animals are their lives, spiritually and economically.

The Northern Great Plains are – the “Serengeti of North America”. WorldWomenWork has been supporting the efforts of WWF in this region focused primarily on local tribal women in conservation, bison rangelands, and black-footed ferret recovery sites, public agencies, and tribal nations to ensure that the richness of the prairie ecosystem is sustained for future generations.

-From 2015 to 2016, 2.5 million acres were lost to crop production across the Great Plains.

-WWF estimates that keeping 25 million acres of grasslands intact could prevent 1.7 trillion gallons of water, along with tons of sediment and fertilizer—from washing into rivers, streams, lakes, and, ultimately, the Gulf of Mexico.

-Six songbird species that are only found in the Great Plains continue to be in perilous decline. Populations have declined by as much as 65-94% since the 1960s.

-Since 2009, nearly 8 percent of the landscape has been plowed for crops, leaving about 54 percent of the Great Plains grasslands intact.

The awesome fact that we compare the Northern Great Pains to the Serengeti is troubling indeed. Every place is confronted by the loss of species and human encroachment on wild places, We can only involve ourselves by supporting those who work in the field trying with every ounce of energy to somehow stop this ravaging of the natural world.

You are WorldWomenWork. Without your support we would not exist. We need you more than ever as the wildworld and it's guardians are under attack as never before.

Save The Elephants Update 2017

“Africa is rapidly changing. Elephants are increasingly threatened by a tidal wave of development and encroachment. As economies expand, wide open areas of unfenced elephant ranges contract. The Kenyan elephant range presents a stark example. A century of growing human population and oerstocking of livestock has severely degraded most pastures. When hit by seasonal drought, herders desperate for grazing invade conservation areas including Samburu. once grass is gone the herders may move on, but little is left for wildlife.”

— Iain Douglas-Hamilton, founder of Save The Elephants

WWW has pledged $100,000 for STE Northern Tracking Project 2018. In order to protect elephants in the face of massive infrastucture developement projects they are being radio collared. Wearing tracking collars elephants are unveiling key wildlife habitats and the corridors that link them which in turn can inform large scale developement. The Kenyan government has commenced developement plans to transform the town of Isiolo - located a mere 34km from the Buffalo Springs Reserve - into a major resort city. A large dam and irrigation scheme are part of that growth. More worrying - a road, railway and oil pipeline network - is also planned to run from South Sudan and Ethiopia through Isiolo to the costal district of Lamu. This is going to be huge with Samburu National Reserve, Save the Elephants Reseach Center and Elephant Watch Camp in the crossfire. STE has been at the forefront of mapping all existing wildlife corridors to guide the government in planning for a future with wildlife.

The Samburu Orphan Project has been a 4 year research project conducted by Shifra Goldenberg and George Wittemyer at Colorado State to which WorldWomenWork has donated $400,000. The newest paper documenting the social pattern of orphans is out: "Orphaned Female Elephant Social Bonds Reflect Lack of Access to Mature Adults." This study is critical to understanding the magnitude of what these elephants are experiencing in a profoundly altered social structure. How are they going to cope and recover? The elephants of Samburu are one of the best studied populations in the world and they can provide a powerful window into what this continent wide poaching is doing to elephant society.

WorldWomenWork October Update

We watched, mesmerized as young lions played with a canoe paddle on our recent WWW adventure to Botswana and Zambia. There is no way to describe this magnificent and innocent moment. Meanwhile North Korea was involved in wildlife trafficking and in Myanmar elephants were being poached with poisoned arrows and skinned, their skin used for 'health' jewelry. Even when terribly depressed by the world's inhumanity something inspiring is taking place, which keeps our passions alive.

Nothing personifies this more than the story of Kabu's rescue 2 years ago. Many of you helped to make this possible. She worked for 20 years in the logging industry despite a terrible injury to her left front leg while also having two babies. The first female baby was sold to a tourist camp and the little male died after the torture of the training crush. She is the epitome of resilience, a beautiful and gentle elephant loved by all who visit the Elephant Nature Park. Lek Chailert is a savior who inspires all who meet her.

After being in Thailand with Kabu and Lek, I spent time in Samburu with the Grevy's Scouts and one of the highlights was trying to sew a sanitary pad on one of the new sewing machines WWW contributed. I was the center of a lot of laughter. I felt as though I was finally accepted into this amazing group. Not only are they tracking Grevy's with GPSs they are making additional income with a sanitary pad project which also enables their daughters to stay in school. These women are a true inspiration.

Samburu in northern Kenya is experiencing an unparalleled drought. The food situation is desperate for wildlife. The herders of cattle and goats invade the conservation areas causing armed conflict. We were fortunate to be able to help distribute hay for the Grevy's. In one area diseases carried by domesticated animals wiped out packs of wild dogs.

A young elephant enjoying a snack at Sheldrick Wild Life Trust in Nairobi.

I thank you so much for being a part of WorldWomenWork. You make everything we do possible. You are a part of every project. I hope that through these stories you feel just as inspired as I do.

Even though there is much to be depressed about in the wild world there is much to inspire us to feel passionately, to want to give back, to help.

Ewaso Lions September 2017 Project Update

Over the last 25 years the African lion population has fallen by half, there are only 25,000 left today.

I want to share with you a few very inspiring episodes in the lives of the Mama Simba whom WWW supports with great enthusiasm.

WWW is proud to be a partner in the Ewaso Lions Bush Bus. It will be used for their Lion Kids Camp program and to engage more kids across Kenya in conservation. It will also expose community members to wildlife safaris.

The mama Simba, Mothers of Lions, have become a true force for conservation. These are our lions and we must protect them. They go from village to village educating and empowering other women to be forces themselves!

Munteli, one of the two coordinators, has gotten her drivers license. Imagine the confidence it takes to do this. She has said, "So many of the ladies have seen she can drive that they now feel that the impossible is now the possible and they can do anything."

The Governor of Samburu was campaigning due to upcoming elections near by and Mparasaroi, the other coordinator, was speaking and told him how important conservation is to them and how a Samburu lady can drive, which he didn't believe and asked to meet Munteli and then asked her to drive him around which she did. Every single person came to shake her hand.

Last February when I had gone to help with a village plastic bag clean up it was decided to start a recycling program. An area was designated and now the bins have been acquired and put in place. This is such an achievement.

These are Naramat's cubs, the result of only the third time in 10 years that a lioness has successfully breed with in the community landscape and the first time cubs have been born in the conservation area. This shows just how important the Mama Simba are in helping to educate people on the importance of protecting their lions! Again the Mama Simba are an inspiration.

None of these projects would be possible without your support!

The BBC recently shared a wonderful article on these amazing women: http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20160802-these-brave-women-have-found-a-way-to-live-alongside-lions

Grevy's Zebra Orphans at the Reteti Sanctuary

These two adorable Grevy’s zebra, Ntapuli and Loituko, are being hand raised at the Reteti Sanctuary in Samburu, Northern Kenya. Ntapuli was rescued when he was 1.5 months old after he was seen frantically running around all alone near a small town, with his mother nowhere in sight. After waiting to see if his mother would return, Grevy’s Zebra Trust’s Simon Matacho, a Grevy’s Zebra Scout, successfully rescued Ntapuli together with the team from Reteti Sanctuary.

Loituko was saved after his mother was eaten by a lion in Il Ngwesi Conservancy. He was so tiny that when he first arrived at Reteti, his chances of survival looked slim. But under their expert care, his health gradually improved. Now, the two young Grevy’s zebra are thriving under the expert care of their Samburu keepers Lekupanai and Lengokwai. The chances of their integration back into the wild are high as Reteti Sanctuary is close to prime Grevy’s zebra habitat.

Grevy’s zebra is an endangered species and each life we save matters. You can be the bridge between rescue and success!

We hope to raise sufficient funds to support the ongoing care for Ntapuli and Loituko. Your donation will support the following:

Formula - $450 a month
Keepers x 2 - $200 each per month
Predator-Proof Stables and Enclosure - $4,000 (one-off cost)
Veterinary - $100 a month

About Grevy’s Zebra:
The Grevy's zebra is one of Africa's most endangered large mammals. The species has undergone one of the most substantial reductions of range of any African mammal. The current global population is estimated at 2,500, with more than 90% in northern Kenya where the Grevy’s Zebra Trust operates. The population appears to have stabilized thanks to the conservation.

WWW supports the Grevy’s Zebra Trust’s Scholarship program, the Scouts and the Sanitary Pad project.

Walking With Elephants: Challenge Grant July 2017

WWW Challenge Grant $2500

WWW's Walking with Elephants Myanmar Adventure Feb. 2017 has initiated a new project for us which we are proud to be a part of, knowing that tangible results and hope for many will result with our participation. These ex-logging elephants, already domesticated, are in danger of being totally abandoned as the government does not have the money to pay for upkeep of both elephants and their Mahouts and the Mahouts are being forced to seek employment
elsewhere. The elephants will lose health care and proper food, ultimately succumbing to death via conflict with humans or being sold into dreadful slave labor. We propose to initially support 30 elephants and 30 Mahout families.

Your donations will make this possible. Living next to our elephants as we did in Myanmar gave us the opportunity to witness the strong bond between families and their elephants. Here is the list of what is needed to help protect these magnificent creatures and their families...a quickly disappearing way of life.

Medicine And Food For One Young Elephant 10 to 55 years:
Tamarind balls and salt - $7.00
De-worming and vitamins - $75.00
Rice bran and Paddy - $12.00
Monthly upkeep for one elephant - $94.00
Total For One Elephant Per Year - $1128.00
Total for 30 elephants $33,840

One Mahout Family's Needs For One Year:
Mosquito nets and blankets - $8.00
Children's school supplies - $10.00
Children's uniforms - $15.00
Children's backpacks - $10.00
Uniforms - $32.00
Total for 1 Family Per Year $75.00
Total for 30 mahouts $2250.00
Grand total for a year for 30 elephants and Mahouts is $36,090

This is just a small percentage of the 5000 elephants without a job.
PLEASE help us meet this challenge. It is the least we can do! We must never forget the precarious situation for elephants in Myanmar. There maybe as few as 1500 wild elephants left. Not only are they being poached for their ivory but also for their skins to be made into a powder for the Vietnamese treatment of acne.

“Elephant’s skin can cure skin diseases like eczema,” said one shop
owner, who was also hawking porcupine quills and snake skins. “You
burn pieces of skin by putting them in a clay pot. Then you get the
ash and mix it with coconut oil to apply on the eczema.” - Huffington Post

Donate today to make a difference in the lives of these elephants and their families.

A Farewell to Changila

By Oria Douglas-Hamilton

Flying with the vultures, I salute you Changila, to say farewell. You will now return to the earth where you and I came from a long long time ago. Piece by piece, vultures will take you away and bury you, leaving only white bones by the river to mark your grave, where you stood that last moment in your life. We did not know you well, but you were named Changila, “Fighter.”

Changila destroyed by poachers, January 3, 2013. Photo courtesy of Chris Leadismo, Save the Elephants.

You came from the north in December, as you always do. Now at 30, having survived droughts, war, and floods, you stood tall and strong, heading south in full musth over well trodden paths, leaving a scent trail behind, your trunk sweeping the ground as you searched for fertile females to mate with. The land was lush and green after the rains. Butterflies fluttered from flower to flower, and step by step, your great big feet crushed the long grass stems. Like all warriors, you came to fight, to do what you were known for. Did you leave us an heir in your kingdom?

The new year had just begun. We’d seen you here and there for a few days, and then you disappeared, walking back west. Oh yes, people saw you—you were so determined; no one stood in your way. You drank and washed and crossed the river. Alone, you stood on warm earth pondering your next move while the sun’s rays lit the sky red. The day was ending.

Gunfire broke through the silence of dusk, and you fell.

I apologize for man, my species. You did not deserve this.

Changila destroyed by poachers, January 3, 2013. Photo courtesy of Chris Leadismo, Save the Elephants.

As I flew over you, I scanned the eroded gullies on the hillside, wondering where the men had been sitting, watching, waiting for you to turn and face them, guns at the ready. They hit you not once but two, three, times, and you fell. I saw your leg covered in dark red blood. Your eyes were open. Did you see them as you were dying, coming toward you with their axes? And then, without a moment to waste, demented, they hacked into your skull, just below your open eye, your blood spattering those hands that would steal the prize you carried: two beautiful tusks, white like your bones will be, but stained with blood.

I will never forget your face, so savagely butchered. Rage fills my heavy heart, Changila.

Where will your tusks go? They will leave Africa, hidden in dirty sacks, in boxes, trucks, and stores, changing hands from man to man. No one will know who you were, where you lived. You will be like thousands of others, unknown, abused, and used. One day, a piece of you will be cut into myriad items.

I’m sorry, Changila. May your name live forever—we will miss you.

Three important articles every conservationist needs to read

Asian Elephants Killed For Their Skin In Emerging Poaching Crisis

WWF/CHRISTY WILLIAMS

“The poaching threat facing elephants in Myanmar has reached “crisis” levels, the World Wide Fund for Nature warned this week.”

The War on Wildlife and Its Protectors

“The wildlife conservationist Kuki Gallmann is recovering in a hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, after being shot twice in the stomach, on April 23rd, by armed raiders.”

PHOTOGRAPH BY REMO CASILLI / CAMERA PRESS / REDUX

The end of wild elephants? Why we must not let Africa become one giant food farm

Farm workers in a field at a farm in Klippoortie, east of Johannesburg. Photograph: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters