Creating Elephant Ambassadors (Mobile Education)
The tutorial titled ‘Living in Harmony with Elephants’ makes use of photos, video clips, visual aids, posters and both indoor and outdoor physical exercises, pulling children out of the rigmarole of normal lessons into a captivating scene that allows them to see elephants with fresh eyes.
After our initial evaluation in 2011 that showed many students had a negative attitude toward elephants, we have seen a tremendous improvement in their perception and knowledge of elephants. We can safely attribute this to the use of fun, inspirational and empowering techniques. Next, we went a step further to connect students with nature through game drives into Samburu National Reserve. Children who have never seen elephants from a safe distance were fascinated and able to learn so much more as they snaked round the park with Save the Elephants and Disney.
The journey continues, and the vision we see on the horizon is one where our modest steps in forming new attitudes in these young minds produce a generation of leaders who have an intrinsic love for elephants, and indeed wildlife and their rich environment in its entirety.
Our Conservation education officer reported: In 2013, the Living in harmony lessons have yielded good results. 72% showed in their stories of elephants encounter showed fear, 22% relief, while 4% showed hatred or dislike. Another study was carried out during the field trips. 32% were happy, 18% showed admiration, 32% said they were similar to humans and 36% felt they are important to humans. Following such an impressive turnaround, all students in our focal area will be taken into the parks to experience the wildlife firsthand.
In 2016, the Living in Harmony with Elephants lessons yielded good results with 61% of students showing appreciation for elephants up from 39% before the lessons. Additionally, the proportion of students acknowledging the roles of elephants in shaping their landscape rose from 8% to an encouraging 53%. As part of our coexistence lessons, we also take students into the protected areas to experience wildlife first hand.
Donate
The fate of elephants is in the balance. The record price of ivory has attracted organised crime, rebel militias and even terrorist groups, fuelling a surge of poaching across the continent. Without the outstanding support and generosity of our donors, STE would not be able to continue securing a future for the elephants. We urgently need your support, while there is still time. You can be of vital assistance by donating to either our core funds or to any of our projects.
Spread the Word
The fate of elephants is in the balance. The record price of ivory has attracted organised crime, rebel militias and even terrorist groups, fuelling a surge of poaching across the continent. Without the outstanding support and generosity of our donors, STE would not be able to continue securing a future for the elephants. We urgently need your support, while there is still time. You can be of vital assistance by donating to either our core funds or to any of our projects.
How You Can Help
Over the last years our world-leading conservation efforts have been possible thanks to the dedication and generosity of loyal supporters. To join them you can donate in a number of ways:
Elephants are facing intense threats to their survival in many parts of Africa. The Elephant Crisis Fund provides rapid, catalytic support for the most effective projects designed to stop the killing of elephants for ivory, reduce conflict between humans and elephants, and safeguard important elephant landscapes.
Save the Elephants is funded almost entirely by private donations. It is only through the generous support of donors that we are able to continue our important elephant conservation work. We rely entirely on funds, grants and donations from around the world, so thank you for helping us to secure a future for these fascinating creatures.
Our unique brand of conservation education encourages students to become ambassadors of their rich environment. We also give opportunities to friends around the world to help educate young minds and improve the infrastructure of their schools. Sponsor a child & help build a future for wildlife.