Elephants
Of all the animals in the world – (next to my 3 precious dogs) – I feel the strongest affinity for elephants. I’ve never been to Africa (it’s on my dream vacation list) – but I have admired elephants for a long time. When I turned 21, my Mother gave me a beautiful antique sculpture of a baby elephant standing next to his mother. The mother’s trunk is curled protectively around her calf. It stands on the book shelf in my office and it is one of my most prized possessions.
In 2007 – through Paul MacKenzie – who owns Ele-Host – the company who manages my websites – I became aware of the David Sheldrick Wild Life Trust (DSWT) in Africa. That year I adopetd 11 baby elephants and a blind baby rhinoceros named Max – one for every month of the year. This is year #7 and I smile whenever I get the monthly update on their progress. I’m a proud Momma.
This is Makena – my first DSWT girl – when she was just a baby!
The issues surrounding elephants are numerous and complex. If you care about elephants – there are many ways that you can make a difference. Take some time to explore some of their concerns. There is incredible information on-line and so much you can do to assist them in very simple ways. They need our help.
1) Make a one time or monthly donation to a recognized elephant charity.
2) Find out about elephants at the zoo in your city and make your opinion know.
3) Find out about how elephants are treated at a circus. Make your opinion known.
4) Learn about their loss of habitat and find out how you can help.
5) Say NO to ivory! Let world governments know that you are watching!
6) Sign every “NO IVORY” petition that you can. NEVER buy ivory!
7) Don’t go on a tourist elephant ride anywhere.
8) Learn about the connection between ivory and religion.
9) E-Mail CITES and express your opinion.
10) Learn about elephant and human problems and what can be done.
11) Don’t turn away when you see a difficult picture or video – be aware.
12) Learn about “the crush” and see what a domesticated baby elephant endures.
They say “an elephant never forgets” – let’s not forget them!
