Elephant Protection Initiative

This?#InternationalWomensDay, we honor the incredible women leading the fight against elephant poaching in Africa. From leadership to field operations, women are shaping the future of conservation with resilience, innovation, and dedication. Sharon Ikeazor, who leads our Leadership Council, has been instrumental in advancing elephant conservation efforts across Nigeria and Africa. Our Director of Programs,?Ruth Musgrave, continues leading groundbreaking initiatives, managing wildlife stockpiles and mitigating human-elephant conflict to secure a sustainable future for communities and wildlife. Last but not least, our Digital Communications Manager,?Clara Rincuni, CPM,?who keeps our work visible and our communities engaged on our digital platforms. We also celebrate the remarkable women who make up our National Focal Points, our Friends of the Month, partner organizations, and dedicated wildlife officers working tirelessly in the field. Today, and every day, we salute your unwavering commitment to elephant conservation. Your contributions are not just shaping the present; they are safeguarding the future of Africa’s elephants. Winnie Kiiru PhD Greta Francesca Iori Christina Godding #IWD2025 #WomenInConservation #ElephantProtection

As we approach the weekend, we'd like to share an insightful Eco Futurists episode on wildlife and biodiversity conservation featuring John Scanlon AO perfect for listening while you relax, go for a walk, or spend time in nature. Whether you're interested in pursuing a career in conservation or simply have a passion for wildlife, this episode is sure to resonate with you. It offers valuable perspectives on dedicating one's life to biodiversity conservation. You can enjoy the episode on YouTube https://lnkd.in/djc3Kkut or on Spotify https://lnkd.in/gsk9-mtr. #WildlifeConservation #Conservationalist #ConservationNews

?? 11 Years of Elephant Research – What Have I Learned? ?? From tracking transboundary elephant movements to studying their impact on trees and even using bees to protect trees, my research journey has been an adventure like no other. Spending countless hours on foot in the African wilderness, facing challenges, and working alongside incredible people has shaped my perspective on conservation. Now, as I embark on a new chapter, I reflect on the lessons, discoveries, and unexpected turns that have brought me here. What does it take to balance conservation science with real-world challenges? Read my story here: ?? https://lnkd.in/dd4jwB7k?

Earlier this week, our CEO, John Scanlon AO, addressed the UN Group of Friends on Poaching and Illicit Wildlife Trafficking at a high-level event co-hosted by the Permanent Missions of Germany and Gabon and the Wildlife Justice Commission. His remarks focused on a critical challenge: turning policy into action through a multilateral approach with ground-level impact in the fight against the illicit trafficking of wildlife. Combating illegal wildlife trafficking requires more than commitment; it demands coordinated, actionable solutions that disrupt criminal networks and protect our biodiversity. Read the full briefing here: https://lnkd.in/gaQGSA9Z Picture from Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime. #EndWildlifeCrime #WildlifeConservation #ConservationNews

?? Honoured to co-host a vital discussion on #wildlifetrafficking with the Permanent Missions of Gabon & Germany at the German House in #NYC marking #WorldWildlifeDay! As the negotiations approach for the 2025 UN General Assembly resolution on illicit trafficking in wildlife, we urge stronger action: ?? Treat wildlife crime as serious #organisedcrime with tougher penalties & legal frameworks (#UNTOC #UNCAC). ?? Tackle #corruption enabling trafficking through financial & corruption investigations. ?? Recognise wildlife crime as a predicate offense to #moneylaundering to seize illicit profits. ?? Address #crimeconvergence—wildlife trafficking is linked to other major crimes. ?? Foster global cooperation across crime, corruption & climate efforts. The 79th #UNGA is a key moment to strengthen global action. Let’s make it count! ?? #EndWildlifeCrime #WildlifeJustice Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime John Scanlon AO World Resources Institute Nature Crime Alliance

For the past 50 years, Africa's elephant populations have dramatically declined, and the situation is becoming more dire. In this article on The Conversation U.S. by George Wittemyer, experts offer actionable solutions to protect what remains of these magnificent animals. We must unite to ensure that future generations experience elephants in the wild, not just in books and documentaries. Read: https://bit.ly/4hdrVae #ElephantNews #WildlifeConservation #Biodiversity

It was a pleasure to moderate such an impactful event where key stakeholders, conservationists, and policymakers came together to celebrate World Wildlife Day 2025 and discuss this year’s theme, Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet. From insightful discussions to renewed commitments, the event highlighted the urgent need for collaboration in safeguarding our biodiversity. The Permanent Secretary, the Federal Ministry of Environment, the UNODC Country Representative, and other speakers stressed the importance of exploring innovative funding solutions to ensure both environmental sustainability and economic development. They also emphasized the need for strengthened partnerships between governments, the private sector, and communities to effectively finance conservation efforts. Let’s continue working together to protect wildlife and invest in a sustainable future for both people and the planet. #WorldWildlifeDay2025 #WildlifeConservationFinance #InvestInPeopleAndPlanet #ProtectWildlife #SustainableFuture #BiodiversityFunding #CollaborationForConservation CITES CITES MIKE Programme Elephant Protection Initiative

The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy?is celebrating remarkable growth from 350 elephants in 2014 to 450+ in 2024! This boost in elephant numbers, along with thriving rhino populations, draws nature lovers from all over. With success comes new challenges; stronger conservation efforts and wildlife corridors are crucial to ensuring these animals continue to thrive. Learn more about the importance of wildlife corridors: https://lnkd.in/dXc9FYdd #ElephantConservation #Kenya #WildlifeCorridors

A Rare Glimpse into the Lives of Forest Elephants in Okwangwo Sector, Cross River National Park Capturing wildlife on camera trap footage is always thrilling, but witnessing a forest elephant family (a male, a female, and a young) roaming through Okwangwo sector of Cross River National Park is particularly significant. This moment is not just a rare visual, it underscores the ecological importance of this critical habitat and the urgent need for conservation research. Forest elephants (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) play a vital role in shaping ecosystems. As seed dispersers and ecosystem engineers, their presence maintains the delicate balance of biodiversity in this unique rainforest (one of Nigeria's last strongholds for these magnificent creatures). However, this conservation success comes with growing challenges. In recent times, communities surrounding Okwangwo Sector have reported increasing human-elephant conflicts. Farmers suffer severe crop destruction, threatening their livelihoods and leading to tensions between local communities and conservation efforts. These conflicts highlight the pressing need for comprehensive research on elephant movements, habitat use, and strategies to mitigate negative interactions. Understanding these elephants behaviour and migration patterns could provide sustainable solutions that balance biodiversity conservation with human well-being. Let's work together to ensure coexistence, explore this landscape, and contribute to finding lasting solutions to human-elephant conflict to protect people's livelihoods and the future of forest elephants in Nigeria. #Conservation #Biodiversity #ElephantConservation #HumanWildlifeConflict #ForestElephant #SustainableDevelopment #CrossRiverNationalPark #ResearchOpportunities

In this must-watch episode of Eco Futurists, Professor Andrew Lowe interviews?John Scanlon AO, our CEO and a lifelong champion of wildlife conservation. From fighting the illegal ivory trade to shaping global conservation policies, John’s journey proves that one person can make a difference. But to turn the tide, we need more people like him. Tune in: https://lnkd.in/djc3Kkut Professor Andrew Lowe: https://lnkd.in/detPXErz #EcoFuturists #Biodiversity #Conservation #MakeADifference