Age-old anecdotes speak to the elephant’s human qualities—its sense for music, readiness to obey, aptitude for learning, ability to grieve, and above all, its remarkable family social structure. But despite these qualities, Asian elephants’ survival is threatened. Estimates show fewer than 40,000 Asian elephants living within their natural range, which extends from India to China to Indonesia. That is less than one-tenth the number of wild African elephants.
In Sri Lanka, more than 150 elephants are killed each year out of a total elephant population of 3,000. They are killed in retaliation for raiding crops, destroying property, and killing humans. Wildlife Trust has been working with local farming communities to reduce this human–elephant conflict in different ways, such as the use of solar-powered electric fencing to protect agricultural fields. Wildlife Trust scientists are working to understand elephant behavior and movements so that in the future, all farmers will be able to receive advance warning of the arrival of herds, and can make preparations to protect crops and avoid conflict.
| Gift Donations to Benefit Wildlife Trust |
$10 Donation
Tsaunami Soaps
The village of Ban Talae
Nok in the North Andaman
Sea was struck hard by the
Tsunami. Women there
make these all natural,
herbal soaps with natural decorations of shells, loofah, and pandanus leaf
weavings. Soaps are glycerin and soap chip based and come in Spicy Clove
and Sesame, Tantalizing Turmeric, Refreshing Ginger Avocado, or Luscious
Lemongrass Avocado.
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$20 Donation
Painted Wooden Elephant
Elephants figured prominently as sign, symbol and totem in Indian civilizations as early as 2000 BC, and were used as mounts and war animals. These hand-carved elephants from Sri Lanka are decorated in brightly painted caparison. Elephants are approximately 3”l x 3”h x 1”w and vary in color.
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$50 Donation
Wayang Golek Rod Puppet
Wayang Golek, an ancient form of
puppet theater is performed to entertain,
and also to teach lessons of religion and
philosophy. Wooden rod puppets are a
superb example of artistic craft—created
in family workshops according to
strict guidelines passed down through
generations. The head is carved and painted to express
the nature of the character; and bodies are dressed in silk
or cotton batik. Puppets stand 18”h x 5d”. Designate wood
or painted.
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$40 Donation
Mangowood Boxes
These unusual boxes were made from sustainable harvested mangowood from Thailand. Sizes vary and are approximately 6”:in diameter
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NOTE: Click art photos for larger view.
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