All over Africa, small NGOs are busting their guts trying to expose the corruption inherent in wildlife poaching and trafficking. During his first visit to India, Duncan McNair was stunned and appalled by the mistreatment and violence inflicted on elephants within the tourism industry especially the way of making baby elephants more compliant by capturing and torturing them in small inhumanely cages. Starting as the Ecological Society of America in 1915, this elephant charity is the collaboration of scientists and leaders interested in ecology and conversations. Based out of New Yorks Bronx Zoo, WCS is at heart a scientific organisation and much of Africas wildlife census work has been conducted by its people. EWB Safe passage across political boundaries is key to the future of elephants. What theyve achieved: Since its inception, they have provided approximately $6.7million to elephant research and conservation programs while supporting 150 elephants in these programs. 1.13/5 stars. Within five months of Big Lifes inception, it established 12 anti-poaching outposts, bought nine anti-poaching patrol vehicles, recruited platoon commanders and a training instructor to oversee 85 rangers, acquired a microlight for aerial monitoring, brought in tracker dogs and established an informer network on both sides of the border. In efforts to address this problem, previous studies have mainly focused on the direct impacts of . Main Office 2nd Floor Office, 130A Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2LA. This list represents charities that we evaluated as part of our recommendation process. Media headlines shout about an apocalypse; they predict that Africas elephants will be extinct in 20 years while ignoring the fact that elephants breed at 5% per annum helping to offset poaching statistics. This is not the time for glib marketing campaigns or gratuitous gloom and doom. Yes, Terra Conservation Initiative (TCI) is a program sponsored by Ngaren, a 501(c)(3) organization. Her frequent African travels to the Maasai Mara inspired Sidekicks first boots on the ground initiative, Mara Elephant Project, which she founded to protect the regions African elephants. editors@africageographic.com The only real measure of success is an increase in population numbers or the slowing of a downward trend but accurate statistics have been difficult to establish. Ways to contribute: The best way to support this initiative is through donations, and if you are skilled in writing, Elephant Voices encourages you to write opinion pieces for your local newspaper, blog, or school article. MEP feels its vitally important to recognize the central part the rangers play in their conservation operations and the need to ensure funding for ranger welfare is essential to recognizetheir dedicated efforts. What theyve achieved: Elephant human conflict is still a significant issue in many African societies, and rogue elephants can destroy farms and end up severely injured when farm owners try to protect their crops. Are arrests translating to prosecutions or to bribed releases? The research arm of the project, which STE spearheads, is working to determine elephant corridors and movement patterns, particularly those that cross borders into the Serengeti. Impactful Ninja is reader-supported. Their impact and transparency ratings: This elephant sanctuary was rated four stars on Charity Navigator and held a platinum seal of transparency from GuideStar; 89% of their expenditure is allocated to their sanctuary program and its services. The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Since 2010, Big Lifes rangers have made 1,790 arrests and confiscated more than 3,000 weapons and poaching tools. Wildlife Conservation Society is credited with doing the most effective work in Africa. Our approach of monitor, evaluate and protect has worked when used in collaboration with partners to protect wildlife, communities and habitat in the Maasai Mara. There is no one closer to the coal-face than the anti-poaching ranger and no-one more subject to its dangers. It is important to note that the small number of highly recommended organizations below is the result of a deliberate decision to provide clear and actionable recommendations to donors . What theyve achieved: Safe the Asian Elephants has been behind numerous global petition movements that influence government policy. And according to their public statements, none of the board members receive any form of payment from the organization but rather make annual contributions to support their efforts. Mara Elephant Project is one of Asilia's Positive Impact partners in Kenya. And when you buy something through a link that is not an affiliate link, we wont receive any commission but well still be happy to have helped you. Our 10 years of experience using the MEP Method of boots on the ground rangers and applied research all while taking a collaborative approach has disrupted poaching . The Mara Elephant Project Gordon Buchanan rides with the Mara Elephant Project, led by Marc Goss to rescue an injured elephant. Odzalas elephant population is stable, with the effects of any poaching offset by compression as elephants congregate in the safety of the park to avoid threats in surrounding areas. The Mara elephant population numbers heldrelatively steady until 2010, when 3,162 were counted by World Wildlife Fund (WWF). . We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. That simple act averted the crisis. Governments, foundations and individuals are desperate to help but are bamboozled by the plethora of headlines and funding options. Thank you to all the wonderful charities and supporters who took part in our Share the Love promotion. Mara Elephant Project. app@africageographic.com MEP was developed to fill a gap in protecting elephants outside of conservancies and protected areas in the Mara ecosystem. According to their 2019 annual report, 71.2% of their expenditure went towards their conservation programs expenses and purchases plus conservation land and easements. Run time: 1h 44m. All travel bookings booked via Trust my Travel are financially protected by them. This illustrates what focused efforts on the ground can achieve without millions of dollars and global campaigns. Joint intelligence operations like these are crucial to ensuring ivory isn't crossing borders and seas. Protecting elephants and their habitats across the Greater Mara Ecosystem Ways to contribute: You can support by donating to the organization or purchasing an item on their wishlist that will help in their new elephant refuge. Carol Buckey founded Elephant Aid International in 2006. For the last three generations, the Roberts families have played an integral part for conservation in Kenya. The data collected from MEPs elephant collars is the single best indicator for identifying elephant density hotspots, defining critical habitat and corridors, and illustrating elephant movements to target audiences. Says Dr John Hanks, former CEO of WWF SA and Peace Parks Foundation: Campaigns to eliminate consumptive use of wildlife are well-meaning, but they ignore the realities of poverty in Africa, human-wildlife conflict and the underfunding of protected areas. Since then PALF has helped secure a number of ivory busts and arrests. The successful tracking abilities of STE is particularly impressive considering the 6000km2 area included in the Mara Elephant Project. Mara Elephant Project's mission is to protect elephants to conserve the greater Mara ecosystem. Many . But, as in the past, the poachers escaped from prison indicative of the systemic corruption that makes conviction so difficult. ceo@africageographic.com, Travel & conservation company, since 1991, . These charities ensure their efforts also cater to the behavioral needs of these brilliant beings. Click Here to Make a Donation to Save the Elephants. The elephant's name was Mara. By supporting these units, they strengthen wildlife monitoring and welfare and reduce poaching on communal land. We then examined factors influencing the level of agricultural use, individual change in use across years and differences in activity budgets associated with use. Elephants are a keystone species to this ecosystem and when poaching emerged as the number one threat in 2012 MEP took action to successfully combat this global threat. Elephants are a cornerstone species in our environment. The concept is to connect individual people - guides, scouts, researchers, visitors and people of the . Tanzania vehemently denies the allegations, but the Government is under the spotlight and struggling to avoid international censure. Cast: Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley. Chases NGO, Elephants Without Borders, has highlighted the return of elephants from Botswana into Angola since the end of its civil war where elephant numbers in southern Angola have grown from 36 in 2001 to more than 8,000 today. Combined data from a samplenumber of elephant collars spread across the elephant population present an accurate extent of the current elephant range in the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. Elephant Voices now operate in North America and Africa (Kenya and Mozambique). What they do: Save The Elephants works in research and monitoring through their GPS tracking system, elephant protection by funding partners, and grassroots organizations committed to anti-poaching through their Elephant Crisis Fund. 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