Wild About Elephants? One smal

Wild About Elephants? One small step you can take to contribute to finding a solution to save them

The vulnerable status of the African Elephant is one that is often overshadowed by the plight of the Rhino or other endangered species. But, with the population of African elephants being decimated across the continent, organisations are vying for animal lovers’ attention to get on board with this cause.

Wild About Elephants? One smal

One group intent on making the cause known and which is tirelessly working towards finding solutions to save Africa’s elephants is research and conservation-based organisation Elephants Alive, which began as Save the Elephants in 2003.

And one trend seen in recent years, the causal bracelet, is one way the organisation is hoping to achieve increased support by collaborating with Relate Bracelets and Woolworths’ “Wild About” campaign.

“Rhinos may be getting the lion’s share of the attention these days, but that doesn’t mean that other wildlife isn’t under threat. And the response we’ve already seen so far shows that people care about all wildlife,” said chief executive officer of Relate Bracelets Neil Robinson.

Elephants Alive draws on more than a decade’s worth of data in their ongoing mission to “contribute towards the long-term survival of the African elephant” and maintain “the vital diversity of our world”.

Because, according to the organisation, if elephants are to survive, then scientific knowledge and “an intimate understanding of their movements and needs” is the key to saving them.

Work they do includes compiling long-term data on the movements of elephants, determining what influences their movements and the impact they have on their habitats, recording and comparing mortality rates in different regions, running educational programmes and promoting “the conservation of remaining large-tusked bulls as flagship individuals to address broader conservation concerns”.

Relate Bracelets and Woolworths are hoping to help raise awareness for Africa’s noble giants with the Wild About Elephants Bracelet which is available in selected Woolworths stores from this month and costs R35.

Relate is a 100% not-for-profit social enterprise that creates opportunities to change lives through the making and selling of handmade bracelets. Relate’s uniquely sustainable business model sees approximately one third of bracelet proceeds donated to specific causes, one third providing earning opportunities and skills training for local bracelet-makers and supporting local enterprise development initiatives, and one third covering material and running costs.

A third of the profits raised from sales of the bracelet goes to Elephants Alive to contribute towards promoting harmonious co-existence between man and elephants and towards research into how their survival can be secured within intact ecosystems.

Lauren Gillis, founder of Relate Bracelets said: “Elephants Alive delivers research solutions for ensuring the species’ longevity and Relate is so proud to be a part of such a trustworthy and well-organised charity doing such valuable work.”