Greetings! 

Thank you for your gift to assist the desert elephants of Mali!  Since July, daily life goes on for the communities of Mali and our work continues in helping those in the area surrounding Lake Banzena.

Good news: the local communities have established information networks to discover the identity of poachers and information surrounding elephant killings. Their leaders have resolved to transmit the following messages to those with whom they have contact, including rebel and military leaders:

• Those who attack the elephants, attack and steal from the people of Mali
• The ivory of the Mali elephants is of poor quality and little commercial value, therefore, their slaughter is a useless crime
• The Mali elephants have a greater value alive: ecologically and for tourism

So far we have stemmed elephant poaching but we need to be prepared for the time when an offensive is launched to retake the north of the country. War is lethal for elephants, particularly when combined with the high demand for ivory in Asian markets, as the sale of ivory is used to buy arms.

The Mali Elephant Project is a joint initiative between  WILD & the ICFC

We have consulted widely to devise a strategy to cope with this eventuality, and now need to raise $20,000 to deploy an elite armed anti-poaching rapid response unit to follow up on information provided by the communities. The Malian government has pledged to provide the personnel, the firearms and the ammunition. We just need to cover the equipment and training.

It's not too late to help and every dollar counts! We thank those of you who have expressed concern for these elephants and have donated to their cause. Donate now to protect this unique herd of desert elephants! 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Susan Canney

Project Leader, Mali Elephant Project

The Young Professionals program for WILD10, coalitionWILD, is gearing up to strengthen the global network of conservationists between the ages of 19-30.  coalitionWILD provides leadership training, professional skills enhancement, mentoring connections and an established global support network for coordinated conservation efforts.  coalitionWILD delegates participate in the main World Wilderness Congress and work toward the adoption of conservation resolutions. The program engages and empowers young professionals from around the world by providing a platform for innovative ideas, collaboration and mutual support.  Stay tuned for upcoming announcements from the coalition or email Alyson Duffey to get involved!

We are proud to announce the coalitionWILD Steering Committee:

Alyson Duffey: Associate Director, The WILD Foundation, Boulder CO USA

Juan Martinez: Naturalist in Residence, The Murie Center; Natural Leaders Network Coordinator, Children and Nature Network (C&NN), USA   

Maria Martinez-Feduchi: Public Relations Consultant/Entrepreneur, Spain

Marie-Eve Marchand: Nature Conservation Entrepreneur and WILD10 Executive Committee member, Canada

Lincoln Meyers: The Wilderness Foundation South Africa, South Africa

Elena Torres: Biologist and Media Coordinator for WILD9, Mexico

Crista Valentino: Director of Programs and Communications, The Murie Center, Jackson Hole WY, USA