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Elizabeth Fais

Tag Archives: Kenya

The International March for Elephants ~ Ban Ivory, Save a Species

03 Saturday Oct 2015

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Animals, Conservation, Elephants

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Black Rhinos, Dame Daphne Sheldrick, David Leslie William Sheldrick, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, DSWT, East Africa, Elephants, Elizabeth Fais, Hillary Clinton, illegal ivory, International March for Elephants, iworry, Kenya, poaching, Tsavo East National Park, Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park

October 4th 2013 marked the first International March for Elephants. On October 3rd  and 4th 2015, the march continues.

Thousands of people around the world are marching to raise awareness about the devastating impact of the ivory trade. Unchecked it will wipe out the wild elephant populations by 2025.

Every 15 Minutes an elephant is killed for its ivory…

The International March for Elephants was organized by The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) through their iworry campaign, taking place around the globe. If you are unable to join the march, there are other ways you can make a difference. Every day of the year.  [image from DSWT iworry program]

International March for Elephants poster

Launched in September 2012, the iworry campaign has attracted worldwide backing calling for a complete ban on the ivory trade.

It’s simple. When the market for ivory disappears, the killing for it will stop.

Recently, the United States and China laid the groundwork for a ban on all ivory trade. Some states, such as California, have also enacted bans on importing ivory. Progress is being made, but there’s still a long way to go if we are to save these majestic creatures from extinction.

You CAN Make a Difference!

It’s easy to think, “What can I do? I’m just one person.”

DSWT_DaphneScheldrick

The truth is, each of us can make a difference. Supporting an organization that is actively engaged in preventing poaching — one that also rescues orphaned elephant calves that are victims of poaching — is a way those of us who are continents away can make a significant positive impact.

The  The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and returning orphaned elephants to the wild sinceKamok, DSWT 1977. The organization grew out of the family’s passion for Kenya and its wilderness. Today, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is the most successful orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world. It is also pioneering conservation for wildlife and habitat protection in East Africa.

Image of 1 day-old KAMOK ~ September 2013 ~ David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick D.B.E founded the organization in 1977 to honour the memory of her late husband, David Leslie William Sheldrick MBE, the founding Warden of Tsavo East National Park. Since then, the lives they’ve saved is nothing short of astounding.

Backing Words with Action

It’s one thing to bang out a blog post, but my words won’t mean a thing unless I back them with action. I am happy to be fostering KAMOK and SIMOTUA, orphaned baby elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Fostering is only $50.00 US dollars a year. I know people who spend more than that in a month at Starbucks. It’s rewarding to know that you’re making a difference in a huge way…in the life of an individual elephant, as well as the protection species as a whole.

The following video of Kamok’s rescue demonstrates the level of care this organization extends to each and every animal in its care.



For information on how you can foster an orphaned elephant or rhino at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, go here.

You can also help in the following ways:

  • Share this post on Facebook (with the Share button below)
  • Tweet the link to this post (with the Share button below)
  • Follow @DSWT on Twitter
  • Like The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust on Facebook
  • Buy a copy of Dame Daphne Sheldrick’s autobiography “Love, Life, and Elephants: An African Love Story“

Together we can make a difference!


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Dining with Giraffes… Are you game?

31 Sunday Aug 2014

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Adventure, Animals

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

AFEW, Africa, African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, Betty Leslie-Melville, Carr-Hartley family, Elizabeth Fais, Giraffe Manor, giraffes, Jock Leslie-Melville, Kenya, Lake Nakuru National Park, Nairobi, Raising Daisy Rothschild, Rothschild giraffes, The Last Giraffe

The world’s only giraffe hotel rests in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. Yes, giraffe hotel.

Officially called Giraffe Manor, the estate is located near Nairobi, Kenya. Every morning the resident giraffes stroll up to the house, poking their heads through the windows in search of treats.

Giraffe Manor, exterior with giraffes poking their heads through windows

Can you think of anything more amazing than waking up to giraffes poking their heads through your bedroom window, and then having giraffes join you for breakfast? Seriously. Sign me up!

Breakfast with giraffes at Giraffe manor

The Makings of a Very Tall Tale

The original mansion was built in 1932 for a wealthy British family. But it wasn’t until 1974, when the property was purchased by Betty Leslie-Melville and her husband Jock, that the idea for a sanctuary dedicated to endangered Rothschild giraffes blossomed.

The first giraffe the Leslie-Melville’s took in was an 8-foot-tall (2.4 m), 450-pound baby they named Daisy, about whom Betty subsequently wrote the book Raising Daisy Rothschild that was later made into the film The Last Giraffe. So started the journey to protection for the endangered Rothschild giraffes. Giraffe Manor has been home to as many as 12 Rothschild giraffes at one time; currently there are eight in residence. The following image shows Betty Leslie-Melville having a quiet moment with Daisy Rothschild. [image: flicker.com]

Betty Leslie-Melville and Daisy Rothschild

In 1983, Betty’s son opened the Manor as a boutique hotel where guests could feed the giraffes from their breakfast table, through the front door, and from their bedroom windows. The Carr-Hartley family purchased Giraffe Manor in 1984 to continue the tradition of offering guests the rare opportunity to hang out with these gentle giants.

The hotel luxuriously caters to the resident giraffes and warthogs, as well the human guests who come from all over the world. A magical stay at Giraffe Manor is not cheap, but the one in a lifetime experience is priceless.

The proceeds generated by the hotel help to support a great cause: the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW). Not only is Giraffe Manor a sanctuary for an endangered species, but they also participate in a breeding program which introduces breeding pairs back into the wild.

The Tallest Living Mammals

The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is native to Africa, and is the tallest living terrestrial animal.

Fully grown giraffes are approximately 16–20 ft tall, with an average weight of 2,628 lb) for an adult male and 1,825 lb) for an adult female. Giraffes have a lifespan of  up to 25 years in the wild. Because of their size, eyesight and powerful kicks, adult giraffes don’t have any predators, with the exception of man and lions.

Giraffes at Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya

There are nine subspecies of giraffe, each with variations in markings that make them distinctly unique. Rothschild giraffes (that live at Giraffe Manor), named for Walter Rothschild, are also known as the Baringo or Ugandan giraffe. This subspecies’ natural habitat range includes parts of Uganda and Kenya. Fewer than 700 are believed to remain in the wild. Their endangered status makes the work done at Giraffe Manor for their protection all the more important. [image: Wikipedia, Rothschild’s giraffes at Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya]

A Sneak Peak at Giraffe Manor

A real-life sneak peek…


What’s your wildest dream adventure?


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