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 »
Dear Elephants: World Wildlife Day 2024 is upon us once again. This year’s theme is “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation”. Our commitment is forever to you, our elephants. There have been advancements in elephant conservation due to the use of drones which locate poachers intent on annihilating you, our … Continue reading »
Dear Elephants: World Wildlife Day is recognizing the 50th anniversary (3 March 1973) of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (5)) this year with their 2023 theme of ‘Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation’. It is no coincidence that WWD chose March 3rd as their birth date to ‘celebrate all … Continue reading »
The song ‘Mother of Africa’ was initially written (by Dave Matthews et al.) and recorded for the documentary film Naledi: A Baby Elephant’s Tale” (1) It was later reintroduced during a visit the musician made to an elephant sanctuary in North Kenya to support their cause.(3) Discover the soul of their song about elephants. Listen … Continue reading »
“You cannot begin to preserve any species of animal unless you preserve the habitat in which it dwells. Disturb or destroy that habitat and you will exterminate the species as surely as if you had shot it. So, conservation means that you have to preserve forest and grassland, river and lake, even the sea itself. … Continue reading »
Dear Elephants: Here we are again on this World Wildlife Day 2022 hoping to create awareness of those species of wildlife that are the most critically endangered and in the most dire need of help. Unfortunately, you (our elephants) almost always top that list and as a keystone species the ecosystem, in turn, cannot continue … Continue reading »
It is beyond belief that in 2021 the sale of elephant skins is condoned and deemed legal by the regulatory board CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) that is supposed to protect those species of wildlife who are under threat of extinction. CITES has banned the sale/trade in elephant ivory. Yet our #elephants, … Continue reading »
In response to the poisoning of “seven jumbos,” left to die by villagers in yet another occurrence of human elephant conflict, the Sri Lankan government has “announced harsher penalties” for those breaking laws designed to protect elephants in this island country. Tougher sanctions, promised by John Amaratunga who is the Wildlife and Tourism Minister of … Continue reading »