As I flew over Johannesburg as we circled to land at Oliver Tambo Airport - I marveled at the size of it, a city that has more people than the whole of Botswana. I was also deeply saddened, as I heard on the news that morning that racist attacks were occurring against asylum seekers, refugees and other foreigners trying to make a living. From up there in the sky it looked peaceful but I knew that on the ground people were fearful for their lives and unable to return home as they face worse situations there. I hope peace will prevail but at the moment all is uncertain.
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Hi, I am Kate Evans, or more commonly known as Elephant Kate. I am a zoologist whose great love is elephants. Since 2002 I have been living my dream by researching elephants in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. I decided I was going to be an elephant researcher when I was seven. I was living in Asia at the time and visited the elephant orphanage in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It was there that I made up my mind I was going to work for these majestic and intelligent animals. I made a promise to an elephant and we all know an elephant never forgets!!!! It took me 20 years to finally realise my dream and start my life as an elephant researcher. It was 20 years well spent and now I have to pinch myself most days to make sure it is true and I am living my dream.
I now head up a team who are researching the elephants and trying to work out the social and ecological needs of the largest remaining population of the African elephant. From time to time, other team members will add their thoughts and experiences.
I love sharing my experiences - so I hope that this blog is a medium through which you will be able to join the elephants and I on our adventures in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
