Liam Bartlett: “Damien Mander has become a shining star of the cause. But diamonds do not come much rougher or tougher. A Sydney publican’s son with a taste for danger.” “He first trained as a Navy clearance diver then a commander before spending three years in Iraq where he ended as an adviser to the … Continue reading »
“Today we are hunting down the rhinos to get to their horns before the poachers can.” “A big male has been hit with a tranquilizer dart and we have got to reach him quickly to make sure he doesnot do damage to himself or us.” (Anti-poaching team of men struggling to contain the darted … Continue reading »
You may be more familiar with the name Damien Mander from his most recent calling – Akashinga** (formally known as the International Anti-Poaching Foundation, now empowering the women of Africa to take roles as rangers on his anti-poaching force (4)) or from his 2023 marriage to American actress Briana Evigan (daughter of actor Greg Evigan … Continue reading »
Behind every strong visionary is an inspiration. In this story the inspiration for elephant lover Katherine Connor to provide sanctuary for captive & abused elephants in Thailand (BLES) was a baby elephant who demonstrated such courage, as he struggled to overcome an injury, that he could only have been named Boon Lott… Katherine … Continue reading »
When someone declares that he co-founded a charity “with my elephant” one has to take notice of the fellow. This is exactly what the late Mark Shand did when he knew that the only way to save Asian elephants was to become proactive and help. His passion for elephant conservation and his decision to use … Continue reading »
“She didn’t just talk about it, she made it happen. I can understand why God would want her by Him but we miss her so!”* The late Pat Derby became a voice for elephants when it was unheard of to expose the exploitation and suffering of captive wild animals. Pat Derby stood by our elephants … Continue reading »
If the term ‘elephant influencer’ (influence meaning “having the power or authority to affect change“) were to exist during her lifetime, or even now!, the late Dame Daphne Sheldrick, founder of The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, would stand among the great elephant people in her own right. Ironically she shared a birth month with two … Continue reading »
Keith: “Scott, I want to diverse for a moment, uh, before I get to ask you. I ask all my guests this question and that question is: Some people ask how you can spend time, money and resources advocating and protecting animals when there is so much human misery in the world. What do you … Continue reading »
Welcome back to Awesome Animal Advocates. I am your host Keith Sanderson and our guest is Scott Blais CEO & co-founder of Global Sanctuary For Elephants. And Scott is actually, um, talking to us from Brazil where he is located and it was, what?, 2013 you were involved in founding Global Sanctuary For Elephants. What … Continue reading »
Keith: “It is sort of like they just did not realize what they have missed until they were exposed to a different life.” Scott: “In many cases, yes, because it becomes about survival.” Keith: “You not only provided sanctuary but you actually went out and rescued elephants. Is that right?” Scott: “Yeah, you know, the … Continue reading »