The Impact of Volunteering: How You Can Make a Difference for Elephants
The Impact of Volunteering: How You Can Make a Difference for Elephants

The Impact of Volunteering: How You Can Make a Difference for Elephants

Desert Elephants in Namibia

Desert Elephants in Namibia

13 - 83 Nights from $1,244.00

Search for and see the desert elephants in the beautiful Namibian Desert

View Project
Desert Elephants in Namibia – Family Programme

Desert Elephants in Namibia – Family Programme

9 Nights from $1,244.00

Aid elephant conservation as a family on this wild adventure in the stunning Namibian Desert.

View Project
Rhino & Elephant Equestrian Project

Rhino & Elephant Equestrian Project

7 - 14 Nights from $1,369.00

Conserve rhinos and elephants on horseback at a unique game reserve in Zimbabwe.

View Project
Rhino and Elephant Conservation Project

Rhino and Elephant Conservation Project

7 - 84 Nights from $1,119.00

Volunteer with rhinos and elephants in Zimbabwe on this amazing conservation project!

View Project
The Great Elephant Project

The Great Elephant Project

8 - 85 Nights from $1,119.00

Encounter the beautiful Asiatic elephant deep within the heart of the vast and verdant Sri Lankan jungle!

View Project
The Great Orangutan and Pygmy Elephant Project

The Great Orangutan and Pygmy Elephant Project

11 Nights from $1,807.00

Help to restore Borneo’s rainforest and provide a safe home for wild orangutans and pygmy elephants.

View Project
Recent Volunteer Highlights at the Victoria Falls Conservation Experience

Recent Volunteer Highlights at the Victoria Falls Conservation Experience

Big Five walks, wilderness campouts, and community gardening are just a few recent highlights from Victoria Falls Conservation volunteers. Discover how these meaningful projects are transforming lives and landscapes in Zimbabwe!

View Blog Post
Dawn's Orangutan and Pygmy Elephant Adventure

Dawn's Orangutan and Pygmy Elephant Adventure

Volunteer Dawn McIntyre has recently returned from The Great Orangutan and Pygmy Elephant Project in Borneo and has shared her experience and unforgettable memories. From amazing wildlife encounters to rewarding activities, Dawn emphasises her adventure was nothing short of amazing!

View Blog Post
The Kariega ‘Big 5’ Conservation Project has evolved!

The Kariega ‘Big 5’ Conservation Project has evolved!

The Kariega ‘Big 5’ Conservation project has evolved! In addition to its incredible wildlife-focused activities, the project now offers new community-focused initiatives that align with its mission of building conservation through community involvement.

View Blog Post
Posted by Beth Mills on 2nd Aug 2024 3 mins

World Elephant Day is celebrated annually on August 12th, it was co-founded by the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation and Patricia Sims, the founding president of the World Elephant Society. Since its inception in 2012, World Elephant Day has been dedicated to raising awareness about the critical issues elephants face and promoting efforts for their conservation.

Mother and baby elephant in Namibia

Are Elephants Endangered?

Elephants are classified into two main species: the African elephant and the Asian elephant. Both species face significant threats and are considered endangered, though their conservation status and the severity of threats they face differ. There are approximately only 40,000-50,000 Asian elephants remaining in the wild, and almost 30% are held in captivity with many subject to abuse and neglect. The African elephant has lost over 50% of its population in the last 75 years. The elephant population is still declining, and the previous loss is likely irreversible. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has estimated that without urgent action, wild elephants across Africa and Asia could be extinct by 2040, just 16 years away.

Elephant riding

What Threats Are Elephants Facing?

Elephants face several significant threats, including:

Climate Change: Changing weather patterns affect the availability of water and food resources for elephants. Droughts can lead to water shortages and limited food supply, and altered ecosystems can impact the vegetation forest elephants depend on.

Herd of elephants in Namibia

Human-Elephant Conflict: As human populations grow and intrude on elephant habitats, conflicts between humans and elephants increase. Elephants may raid crops or come into conflict with humans when they enter villages in search of food, leading to retaliation by farmers and communities. These conflicts can result in injury or death for both elephants and humans.

Elephant herd at The Great Elephant Project in Sri Lanka

Habitat Loss: Expanding human populations and activities, such as agriculture, logging, and infrastructure development, lead to the destruction and fragmentation of elephant habitats. This not only reduces the space available for elephants but also isolates populations, which can lead to inbreeding and reduce genetic diversity.

Illegal Ivory Trade: The high demand for ivory, particularly in the Far East, drives rampant poaching of elephants for their tusks.

Elephant tusks

Captivity and Exploitation: In some parts of the world, elephants are still captured and kept in captivity for use in circuses, tourist attractions, or as work animals. The conditions in captivity can often be poor, leading to health and psychological issues.

Elephant captivity

What Volunteering Projects Do We Offer That Make a Positive Impact on Elephant Conservation?

We offer a variety of projects where you can volunteer to make a real difference in elephant conservation efforts, some of which are focused entirely on the conservation of elephants, such as in Namibia and Sri Lanka, and others where you are likely to encounter them as part of your daily activities.

You can aid African elephant conservation with us in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia or help conserve Asian elephant populations in Sri Lanka and Borneo.

By taking part in activities such as monitoring elephant movements and behaviour, participating in poaching patrols, planting trees, building protection walls, working with local communities, and even helping to translocate and collar elephants on certain projects, volunteers can help secure a future for elephant species.

Elephant sighting on game drive

 

Leave a Comment

Wanting to add something to this story or just let us know your thoughts? Just leave your comments below. Please be aware that all comments will be moderated: abusive behaviour or self-promotion will not be allowed.

500 characters remaining

Has this blog inspired you to volunteer? If so, why not enquire today? Simply fill out an enquiry form, and allow a member of our travel team to assist with your query! Please note that blog comments are not monitored by the travel team, so any questions related to bookings may be missed.