Help us put our elephants on Birth Control

Dear SanWild friends

With another week rushing past the midway point, I am sitting with a cup of tea, contemplating all the challenges that lie ahead. I had no idea what a rollercoaster ride SanWild would turn out to be. Not that rollercoasters are necessarily bad. Some people pay good money to get onto them in theme parks around the globe. I guess I am a sucker for challenges, especially if the effort makes a tangible difference for the greater good. As my late grandfather would say, challenges are all in the game, a motto I've made my own and one I always use to encourage my team.

A year and a half ago, I never would have thought I'd be lying awake at night worrying about elephants, pregnancy, and contraceptives. Yup, in that order. I am not a father, and I don't have any teenage kids. Still, we are indirectly responsible for a bunch of elephants that kind of come with the same responsibilities. Having reached our maximum carrying capacity on the limited land available on SanWild, it's become increasingly important to prevent our elephants from getting more babies. (Even though elephant babies are the cutest thing you will ever see!)

The challenge now is to get our elephant cows on a yearly contraception plan, and as it turns out, that is easier said than done. First, we must submit an environmental impact assessment (EIA) with an elephant management plan to get the necessary permits. The EIA has already been completed, and we are waiting for the report from the ecologists. As soon as we have the elephant management plan, we will apply for the permits, which will enable our Veterinarian to place the order for contraceptives.

The scary part is the costs. We still need to figure out how to fund the whole operation. The ecologist report for the EIA costs R8,000. Veterinarian and contraceptive expenses come in at R18,000, and then there are additional permit application fees. The total will tally between R26,000 and R30,000 ($2,050) for this year.

Please let us know if you would like to participate and be present when the elephant cows get their treatment; it should be an incredible experience. Our lodge has a limited number of beds available, and participants will help us offset the costs of this necessary intervention. Any donation or sponsorship to help fund the R30,000 ($2,050) for this project will be greatly appreciated.

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https://www.facebook.com/SanWildWildlifeSanctuary

Kind regards

Didi Schoeman
Chairman, SanWild Wildlife Trust
Limpopo Province South Africa

[email protected]
Website:www.sanwild.org
NPO no: 011-266 NPO
TRUST NR: IT 8147 / 00 (T)
PBO no: 930 013 787