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