Elephant raids picnic!!!
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Oct 27 2008 | By: elephantsofbotswana
Even when we are trying to have a day off the elephants demand our attention!!!!
Elephant Tails Newletter
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Oct 27 2008 | By: elephantsofbotswana
Here is our latest newsletter - I hope it works!!!
If not check out our website for the old ones and the new ones will be on their soon
2009 Calendar For Sale
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Oct 24 2008 | By: elephantsofbotswana
Every year I produce a calendar to sell in aid of the research. Our 2009 calendars are now available to order. The photos in the calendare are all taken within the study area and are of the elephants that we study. The calendars are £10 or $20 each and can be posted to anywhere in the world. In the past they have found their way to Europe, America, Australia, Hong Kong and the far East - I would love them to go further this year.
See the pdf below for a sample.
They can be ordered through the website (follow the link below) or simply email us on elephantresearch@yahoo.co.uk - get your orders in soon to make sure you get them for Christmas and the New year
Kate
www.elephantresearch.co.uk/ForSale.html
A Zoologist in New York, New York
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Oct 15 2008 | By: elephantsofbotswana
I had a few days in New York City at the end of my trip – this was due to a proposed trip to Brookfield Zoo in Chicago not going ahead. I had arranged dinner on the Wednesday with the sponsors of our satellite email and it was wonderful to see them. I asked their advice on what I should do with my time in NYC and they suggested Central Park and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). I had been to Central Park before but had not investigated the southern part of the park, and so left my hotel early on Friday to do this prior to visiting the MET. The southern part of the park is full of hidden gems such as sculptures of Shakespeare, Sir Walter Scott, Hans Christian Anderson and Alice in Wonderland. It was also full of dog walkers, walkers, runners, commuters and the homeless catching some sleep on park benches as people ignored them. It is a wonderful space, a beautiful haven in this sea of workers, rich, poor, traffic, noise and constant activity. Tall trees provide dabbled shade to those that seek solace inside, I certainly enjoyed the more permanent residence of birds and squirrels. I was even approached by a wizard. Blackwolf, I think his name was, he called himself the unofficial wizard of Central Park, offering his services up for birthday parties, weddings and other festivities, an actor fallen on hard times and plying his trade. He had a brilliant English accent.
The MET was not a disappointment and was quite a revelation to me. I have always been drawn to African art, and spent most of my time in that section. Ancient traditions on display through their sculptures and head dresses, most of which had a use and a purpose. In stark contrast to this I went directly to the sculptures of 19th century Europe and somehow this did not sit so well as it was not so connected to real life; beautiful women portrayed in marble, but for what purpose? And then it clicked that is why I am drawn to African ‘art’ as the items mainly serve a purpose, in dance, in ceremonies, in life.
The MET is packed full of gems, far too much to see in a day, so I went in armed with a check list and saw most on that list. In many of the displays, ancient Egypt, Asia, Africa, there was a common thread, ELEPHANTS, either as Ganesh, used by a deity as a mode of transport, in some form or another, or most often in the form of Ivory. I lost count of how many dead elephants are represented in that collection. It then dawned on me that selling one of this famous works of art would probably support all the elephant conservation projects in the world!!! Isn’t it strange how we put such a high price on something made 10’s or 100’s of years ago yet we struggle to fund conservation projects of the living wonders and the beautiful places that they live??
Flowers blossom, spring time
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Oct 07 2008 | By: elephantsofbotswana
It’s now spring here in the Delta and the plants are turning green. It’s finally getting warm after the cold winter months. The sausage trees are coming into bloom and look beautiful while attracting the impalas, giraffes etc. However, the impalas are in great danger as the leopards will probably wait for them on these sausage trees and pounce on them unnoticed. Each season brings in the new and out with the old and different things for the species of the Okavango Delta, however life goes on. Elephants, especially males, are seen occasionally shaking the Fan Palms to enjoy the nuts, what a good strategy. Jackal berry fruits also are ripe and elephants move from one tree to another. These fruits are palatable even to human beings. The jackal berry fruit is delicious a sweet fruit in the middle of life in the delta. On a nice day we can rest by a tree and pick a few of these fruits. Life in the bush is fascinating.
The flood water is also quickly drying and sinking into the thick sands of the Kalahari. The changing face of theOkavango.
By Mphoeng Ofithile
Florida
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Oct 05 2008 | By: elephantsofbotswana
Well here I am in sunny Orlando - not that I am seeing much of it as I am stuck in hotel for the conference. I presented yesterday morning and was second on the agenda and so pleased to get it out of the way. I have been to a few of these now and it has finally dawned on me the power of social networks. It is important to both us and elephants. I know a few people here now and now suddenly they are asking me advise and comments, and visa versa. I am hoping that this interest will bring in some funding from some of the zoos represented here.
The hotel is fine but it is a bit strange not being able to open the window and smell fresh air - so not used to that. And whilst I am in a hot place I am generally cold as EVERYWHERE is air conditioned - again an alien concept and one I am not comfortable with. Nature seems to be ignored here, eradicated and generally not encountered which seems a shame. I know that Florida has a lot of native species which they do not seem to be embracing - at least I do not see much evidence of it but then I guess I am in a very built up area and so face the same issues as other cities all over the world.
This afternoon I am going up state to visit a friend. She and her husband were clients at the camp near the research and we have gotten to know eachother through that. So I am looking forward to seeing some more of Florida. Then on Wednesday I head for New York City. Currently struggling to find somewhere to stay so hope I can sort that out soon!!!
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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. -
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