Animal Diaries Archive

Donations for elephants

29 September 2006

Asian elephants are classified as endangered throughout their natural range, which extends throughout South-East Asia. The main reason for their nearing extinction is largely due to habitat loss, poaching and human/elephant conflict. Steve and Terri Irwin have always been passionate about elephant conservation, and through their conservation charity, Wildlife Warriors Worldwide, have established programs in South-East Asia to help protect these giant land animals from extinction.

Wildlife Warriors, in partnership with Flora and Fauna International in Cambodia, are working together to develop strategies that will help local villages coexist with the elephant and to prevent habitat destruction. The project, which is based in Cambodia, is doing tremendous work setting up anti-poaching patrols, preventing illegal logging, tracking elephants and implementing educational programs. The money raised through Wildlife Warriors goes straight back into the field to help fund these programs and involves buying equipment, vehicles and wages to support anti-poaching patrols. In order to raise much needed funds to support these programs, we are collecting donations daily at our free public elephant feeding sessions, as well as online at www.wildlifewarriors.org.au. The support so far has been amazing, with approximately $40,000 raised for elephants since January this year! We continue to thank everyone for their support, and of course thank our three beautiful resident elephants who have become ambassadors for their wild cousins.