What To Do...?

I often get people asking me, 'How can I help?' or 'What can I do to help these animals?' There are many ways in which you can help these beautiful creatures and I'll tell you about a couple that I am familiar with.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DWST), who has been working for the conservation of elephants and African wildlife for more than 35 years, has an fostering program for all the orphaned elephants and rhinos that are found wandering alone. Most of these orphans have seen their mothers get slaughtered by poachers and are helpless by themselves, so the DWST take them in and care for them.
They offer a foster program which gives you the following:
- A fostering certificate with a profile and photograph of your adopted orphan
- An interactive map to show where your orphan was found
- A monthly summary of how your orphan is going, as well as direct links to the Keepers Diary on a daily basis
- A monthly watercolor picture by Angela Sheldrick
- News on any new arrivals and rescues with photographs
- You are now apart of the team at DWST and will be kept up to date with new developments.

This costs $50 US a year (as a minimum) and is a program that you can see the results of your money being used for something worthwhile. Why not give it as a Christmas present this year instead of an object and give the gift of life to a baby elephant or rhino.

(Chloe and myself are currently fostering 2 elephants at the moment, Balguda and Kihari and have been since October last year)


Another way to help out endangered animals, not just elephants, is to learn about them and the reasons behind them becoming endangered. For example, palm oil is used in many many different products such as soap, snack foods and shampoo. However, due to the location of these palms and their plantations, orangutans are now dying off in huge numbers because their habitat is getting destroyed in order to use this palm oil. Make a stand and don't buy products that have palm oil in them, instead buy palm oil free products, in which there is a list located at http://www.saynotopalmoil.com/palm-oil.php to help you choose.

Finally, the last way to do this is raise awareness and talk about it with people. Use word of mouth, use social media, use anyway you can to raise awareness for these animals. I know sometimes it doesn't feel like you will get anywhere, but believe me, from starting this journey just over 3 months ago I feel like I am making a difference and reaching people who I never would have thought would want to help.


On Friday the 4th of October, there is going to be an International March for Elephants in 15 cities all over the world.
Organised by The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, it will be the largest single awareness project for this species that has ever been assembled. Their message will be clear... SAY NO TO IVORY!
The focus of this march is to bring together people from all walks of life who are willing to stand up and ask our governments to work harder and together in trying to stop the illegal ivory trade.
Join their facebook group through the website at www.iworry.org and learn how you can make a difference.
I have registered and I will be marching on this special day, as I believe something needs to be done to stop this trade of ivory and slaughter of hopeless animals. I will stand up for those who have no voice, and I will make sure that my voice is loud and heard by many.



I will continue to spread the word of this amazing cause, but the question is...will you?


- Daniel

Twitter: @plightvoiceless

A Picture Tells A Thousand Words

‘The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.’

This quote by Albert Einstein really resonates with me. There are millions of people out there who believe in causes like mine, yet do nothing about it. I understand it is hard due to economic reasons or other personal matters, but by raising awareness you are at least doing something. I am only a student, in his mid 20’s who has lived and grown up in Australia, yet I am empowering myself to make a difference. This is a massive undertaking, but I will not stop until I have achieved my goals.

There are approximately 400,000 elephants left in the wild, with 30,000 elephants left in Kenya. In 2011, it is estimated 25,000 were poached and rose to 30,000 in 2012. Due to the massive ivory seizures around the world this year, I think that by the end of 2013 the number is going to be frighteningly high indeed. Why I mentioned Kenya, is that their main source of economy comes from ecotourism. If the African Elephant becomes extinct, then Kenya will suffer immensely and so will the whole continent. I understand that it is not about money, but without money things become very hard and difficult, especially when it comes to the fight against poaching.

I know it is one thing to say or write something, but I believe when people are shown images of something they take it to a deeper understanding. They become more aware and can actually see what is going in the world, not just from a bunch of statistics. People take pieces of information differently and what I’m going to show you will almost certainly make you feel uncomfortable due to the graphic nature (as such I have not put them in, rather used links)

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING ARE LINKS TO GRAPHIC IMAGES THAT SOME PEOPLE MAY FIND OFFENSIVE.

http://www.sabotagetimes.com/wp-content/uploads/elephantpoaching.jpg

http://baraza.wildlifedirect.org/files/2012/12/Elephant-assassination-3.jpg

These pictures have all been taken over the past few years, yet the extent of horror and damage is still the same. I can’t believe there are people in this world who do this, and make a living out of it; it really makes me sick. My purpose is to show you as the audience that these animals face cruelty and there is no need for this barbarity, that I am not just giving you statistics, I am deeply hurt and offended every time I see one of these images just like you are. Every time I hear of more elephants being slaughtered, I can’t help but think of these images and how disgusted I am that this still continues.

Please continue to support and help the animals who are struggling to survive each and everyday, and passon to your family and friends that there are people who want to make a difference in the world.

- Daniel

Twitter: @plightvoiceless

PS: July 31^st is International Ranger Day and commemorates those dedicated to fighting to protect the species of flora and fauna around the world, as well as those who have been killed or injured in their line of duty. Rangers across Africa and the world face a battle everyday trying to stop poachers, who are becoming more heavily armed and making the life of a ranger very dangerous. I have never met a ranger from Africa, but I have the utmost respect for each and everyone of them who is out there everyday fighting to protect those who cannot protect themselves. I know I'll be saying a prayer for them on this day especially and thank them for all their tireless work. Follow the link below to see their work and a message from Prince Harry and Jane Goodall:

http://internationalrangers.org/world-ranger-day/

The Inspiration for the Cause

A few people have asked me where my inspiration has come for me to step up and have a voice for those who do not have one of their own, and in turn, try and make a difference.

I have always have a soft spot for animals, from a young age I wanted to be a biologist; yet growing up and learning more about how deep biology goes, it is more than just looking at beautiful animals. I do however, still love animals and will continue to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves by any means that I can, starting with this blog.

I fell in love with a beautiful girl named Chloe a couple of years ago whose love for elephants made me realise that people care about animals, even if they are on the other side of the world. Although she is not involved in any work or jobs relating to animals or conservation, she has fueled this fire in my belly. Chloe's thoughts and beliefs show that a difference must be made and has inspired me to make a difference in this crazy world of ours. Her love and dedication to helping and wanting to make a difference has really driven me to be that person that should make a difference, even if it means starting off on something simple as a blog.

A couple of years ago, we went on a date to Imax for the first time and saw a documentary called 'Born To Be Wild'. This documentary (which I highly recommend, its even narrated by Morgan Freeman) focuses on two different animal sanctuaries;  one in Borneo trying to save the orangutan and the other in Africa, working to save the African Elephant and other animals.
This film really touches your heart that no other movie I have seen before or probably will. The people involved in these projects are some of the most compassionate and dedicated people in this world, and their work continues day in day out.

The conservation group helping out the African Elephants is called the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and is located in Kenya. It dedicates itself to protecting Africa's wilderness, particularly the African Elephant and the black rhino, another highly endangered animal. They take in orphaned elephants whose mothers have been killed by poachers and hand rear them until they are grown enough to look after themselves, and release them back into Tsavo National Park to roam free.
Just wow.

Another source of inspiration and that comes from someone who is pretty left field. Damian Mander is an ex Special Forces soldier from Australia who did 12 tours of Iraq, before taking some time off to visit Africa. It was on this trip that his eyes were opened to the horrors that both the wildlife and the rangers fighting to protect the wildlife were faced with on a daily basis. He then made an executive decision, selling all his belongings and his accumulations from years in the military and established the International AntiPoaching Foundation (IAPF). I highly suggest watching his TED talk which he did in May this year (link at the bottom) and taking a thing or two out of it. To have someone from a completely different walk of life drop everything and focus entirely on helping these struggling animals is just so positive and encouraging.

Lastly, my final and strongest inspiration is the need to help those who have no voice and the helplessness they endure each and every day.
The elephants that can not fend for themselves from poachers who kill them to make money, without regard for anything but the drive to make money.
The hopeless animals that are doomed to extinction due to carelessness and selfishness of people.
The animals that do not stand a chance to these heartless monsters.
This is what drives me to try and help these poor animals from their suffering, anyway I can.


I can only hope to be half the person all these people are, and I am so in awe of these amazing people, the heroes that devote their lives to helping those who cannot help themselves.


The Plight of the Voiceless is still in its early days, but my intentions are still the same, and will continue endlessly. I will not sit down and do nothing, I will stand up for what I believe in and rouse more people to the cause, to get their voices heard and put a foot down to help those less fortunate than ours like all the previously mentioned people have before me.

- Daniel




For those interested in both the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the IAPF just follow the links below.

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/index.asp

IAPF
http://www.iapf.org

Damian Manders Ted Talk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FCsyK4aRXQ

For What Its Worth...

So its been a week since I first wrote about the Plight of the Voiceless.

After reading many articles from Africa and world newspapers about poaching, it seems that something must be done sooner rather than later. Each week more and more elephants are being butchered at the hands of poachers, even after efforts have been stepped up across Africa.

I have spoken to a few people about this blog I have started, some positive, some not so. I am writing this because I KNOW I can make a difference in this world.  I understand people feeling a bit reserved about it, but I want to reassure you, I am not stopping until something gets done.  Some disagree with what I am trying to do, but truth be told, I will follow my heart and not give up on this issue.

As everyone knows, ivory is the main reason for the slaughter of these helpless animals.  Ivory is seen as a sign of wealth in several Asian countries such as China and Vietnam, and is also ground down into trinkets or made into tea, which is incorrectly believed to heal many things, from hangovers to cancer.

If the people of these countries were to see the damage caused to these majestic animals to obtain this so-called ‘super remedy’, do you think it would change their minds?

Ivory is worth nothing to the countries in Asia such as Vietnam and China, but losing the elephants in Africa will make a massive detrimental difference to the continent.

It is estimated there are only about 400,000 African Elephants left in the wild, and last year the number that were slaughtered was estimated to be between 35,000 and 40,000. Now anyone with basic math skills can tell you that in approximately 10-12 years, at this rate, this animal will become extinct in the wild.

I don’t know about you, but I believe this animal to be one of the most recognizable and beautiful of all creatures on this planet. I would hate to grow older knowing that I could have done something more to help such an amazing animal, and this is why I am trying to raise awareness in people to help to try and fix this problem. 

Talk about this with friends.

Tell your family. 

Read about organisations made to help elephants. 

Tell me what you want to do to help these beautiful creatures, and support the Plight of the Voiceless.

- Daniel

Little Steps

The Plight of the Voiceless.

What does that mean?
What does it mean to me?
Most importantly, what does it mean to you reading this?

The Plight of the Voiceless is something that I have thought long and hard about. It is something I do not find easy to talk to people about, but it is something that I have felt very strongly about in my heart.  This has come to fruition due to personally learning more about the going ons in our world that many people do not know about, and finding inspiration from those who are making a difference in the world.

I believe the voiceless of the world are the hundreds and thousands of animals that are faced with extinction due to human interaction. My aim of this blog is to create awareness and reach an audience that actually will take time to think and hopefully help in some way to the lives of these animals.

I will be trying my heart out to help out the cause of the African Elephant, which is reaching such dwindling numbers, and the main cause as everyone knows is poaching for ivory. What most people don't understand, is that the butchering of these animals is due to countries 'believing' the ivory has magical healing powers. What an absolute sickening joke. Under what reasoning is ivory from elephants (just overgrown teeth!) seen to be healing or a cure for ailments? I am honestly baffled by this...

My goal is to change the views of these delusion people and their governments.  I want to travel to these countries and show them how their views are wrong on so many levels. I want to film interviews of these people, and show these people the distress and pain these animals go through with.

This is a goal being undertaken by many different organisational groups and individuals, however, I want to be one that CAN and WILL make a difference in the world.

Big things start with little steps, and by starting this blog, Plight of the Voiceless, I am taking my first step towards making a big thing.

Thank you for your time, and I will keep you updated with any progress made.

- Daniel