Protect African WildDogs &Elephants
Donation protected
AFRICAN WILD DOGS & ELEPHANTS ARE IN DANGER
Can you help?
AFRICAN WILD DOGS – The 2nd most endangered carnivore in Africa - less than 5,000 surviving worldwide. Killed due to perception as “pest,” often wrongly blamed for losses of farmers’ livestock.
AFRICAN ELEPHANTS – Killed for retaliation or to prevent destruction of farmers’ property and livelihoods, also poached for ivory.
The Mangetti Project in Namibia can have a significant and lasting impact on the survival of Wild Dogs and Elephants in Africa through developing and implementing effective co-existence conservation strategies with local communities impacted by these amazing animals.
I’m Ashley Farley Shimota, a 2015 Carleton College (USA) graduate. I’ve been involved with the Mangetti Project (a program sponsored by the Namibian nonprofit entity, N/a’an ku sê) since July 2016. In January 2017, I returned to the Mangetti Project in Namibia and to the important work that I have always wanted to do: understanding and protecting vulnerable, endangered species in their natural environment.
The Mangetti Project has the following goals:
o Understanding Wild Dog and Elephant pack dynamics, movements, and behaviors as well as their interactions and conflicts with the surrounding communities. This involves daily tracking, collection of camera trap images, and analyzing data about Wild Dog and Elephant families. Data from the two elephants with GPS collars is collected daily, analyzed, and sent to affected farmers. We also have ongoing conversations with the communities about their observations and issues.
o Performing damage assessments to validate types and amounts of damage caused by Wild Dogs and Elephants. This involves conversations with farmers and other locals as well as visits to impacted areas.
o Working with the local communities to develop and implement solutions that benefit Wild Dogs, Elephants, and People. Although very early in this goal, ideas include introducing beehives to protect cattle and crops, building Elephant-friendly water holes, adding rocks to water reservoirs and cattle troughs to “steer” elephants to friendly water holes. implementing cattle-protection measures like penning cows overnight, minimizing poaching of antelope (Wild Dogs’ primary food source), and vaccinating local dogs to protect Wild Dogs from disease. With information that we receive on a daily basis, we are already alerting farmers to breaches in their fencing by Elephants; the locals are then able to minimize issues with cattle escaping.
o Positively affecting attitudes of the local community regarding Wild Dogs and Elephants. Sharing knowledge with the local communities is key. We are in the process of educating people about these animals and their essential role in the ecosystem in order to combat misinformation and negative stereotypes. As our collaring capabilities grow and our damage assessments continue, additional fact-based information will be shared. We are also developing relationships with the local school and the young generation.
Elephants destroyed these water reservoirs so their calves could drink. This damage presents serious issues for farmers because, in addition to expensive and short-lived repairs, their cattle must go without water.
You can help human-wildlife coexistence and protect these animals via this GoFundMe Campaign.
Any amount of money would be incredibly helpful. Your donations will help me, an unpaid research assistant, devote my full time and energy to the Mangetti Project. Your funds will help the survival of Wild Dogs and Elephants as well as benefitting those communities whose livelihoods are affected by these amazing animals.
Your donation will help me with basic living expenses and help purchase items for the Mangetti Project, including:
o Collars for Wild Dogs
o Additional GPS collars for Elephants (our two collars are old and dying)
o Additional camera traps
o Scent lures to attract Wild Dogs for collaring
o Logistical equipment, such as backup hard drives, data analysis & statistics software, data recovery software, laptops, and office supplies
o Plaster for pawprint molds
o Vaccinations for domestic dogs
_________________________________________________________________________________
I hope you will join me in my efforts; donations will be appreciated at all times, and every little bit helps. In return, I will provide updates and pictures from the field (as internet connection allows – the Mangetti region is quite remote!)
In addition to obtaining donations, I hope to spread awareness about the challenges facing endangered African Wild Dogs & Elephants. So even if you can’t donate, please share this with others. And feel free to reach out to me for more information. Awareness is key to sustainable conservation!
A million thanks for your help!
Can you help?
AFRICAN WILD DOGS – The 2nd most endangered carnivore in Africa - less than 5,000 surviving worldwide. Killed due to perception as “pest,” often wrongly blamed for losses of farmers’ livestock.
AFRICAN ELEPHANTS – Killed for retaliation or to prevent destruction of farmers’ property and livelihoods, also poached for ivory.
The Mangetti Project in Namibia can have a significant and lasting impact on the survival of Wild Dogs and Elephants in Africa through developing and implementing effective co-existence conservation strategies with local communities impacted by these amazing animals.
I’m Ashley Farley Shimota, a 2015 Carleton College (USA) graduate. I’ve been involved with the Mangetti Project (a program sponsored by the Namibian nonprofit entity, N/a’an ku sê) since July 2016. In January 2017, I returned to the Mangetti Project in Namibia and to the important work that I have always wanted to do: understanding and protecting vulnerable, endangered species in their natural environment.
The Mangetti Project has the following goals:
o Understanding Wild Dog and Elephant pack dynamics, movements, and behaviors as well as their interactions and conflicts with the surrounding communities. This involves daily tracking, collection of camera trap images, and analyzing data about Wild Dog and Elephant families. Data from the two elephants with GPS collars is collected daily, analyzed, and sent to affected farmers. We also have ongoing conversations with the communities about their observations and issues.
o Performing damage assessments to validate types and amounts of damage caused by Wild Dogs and Elephants. This involves conversations with farmers and other locals as well as visits to impacted areas.
o Working with the local communities to develop and implement solutions that benefit Wild Dogs, Elephants, and People. Although very early in this goal, ideas include introducing beehives to protect cattle and crops, building Elephant-friendly water holes, adding rocks to water reservoirs and cattle troughs to “steer” elephants to friendly water holes. implementing cattle-protection measures like penning cows overnight, minimizing poaching of antelope (Wild Dogs’ primary food source), and vaccinating local dogs to protect Wild Dogs from disease. With information that we receive on a daily basis, we are already alerting farmers to breaches in their fencing by Elephants; the locals are then able to minimize issues with cattle escaping.
o Positively affecting attitudes of the local community regarding Wild Dogs and Elephants. Sharing knowledge with the local communities is key. We are in the process of educating people about these animals and their essential role in the ecosystem in order to combat misinformation and negative stereotypes. As our collaring capabilities grow and our damage assessments continue, additional fact-based information will be shared. We are also developing relationships with the local school and the young generation.
Elephants destroyed these water reservoirs so their calves could drink. This damage presents serious issues for farmers because, in addition to expensive and short-lived repairs, their cattle must go without water. You can help human-wildlife coexistence and protect these animals via this GoFundMe Campaign.
Any amount of money would be incredibly helpful. Your donations will help me, an unpaid research assistant, devote my full time and energy to the Mangetti Project. Your funds will help the survival of Wild Dogs and Elephants as well as benefitting those communities whose livelihoods are affected by these amazing animals.
Your donation will help me with basic living expenses and help purchase items for the Mangetti Project, including:
o Collars for Wild Dogs
o Additional GPS collars for Elephants (our two collars are old and dying)
o Additional camera traps
o Scent lures to attract Wild Dogs for collaring
o Logistical equipment, such as backup hard drives, data analysis & statistics software, data recovery software, laptops, and office supplies
o Plaster for pawprint molds
o Vaccinations for domestic dogs
_________________________________________________________________________________
I hope you will join me in my efforts; donations will be appreciated at all times, and every little bit helps. In return, I will provide updates and pictures from the field (as internet connection allows – the Mangetti region is quite remote!)
In addition to obtaining donations, I hope to spread awareness about the challenges facing endangered African Wild Dogs & Elephants. So even if you can’t donate, please share this with others. And feel free to reach out to me for more information. Awareness is key to sustainable conservation!
A million thanks for your help!
Organizer
Ashley Farley Shimota
Organizer
Eden Prairie, MN