Uniting for elephants

Worldwide Experience attended the International Elephant Foundation’s 16th Elephant Conservation and Research Symposium, which was hosted in South Africa from 21-25 October 2019. 150 Elephant conservationists and researchers from around the world were invited to present conservation projects and research outcomes, new technologies in field conservation and conflict mitigation, studies in disease, reproduction and behaviour, and other issues that impact the long-term survival of African and Asian elephants.

The programme was divided into several categories and workshops:

  • Field conservation:
    • Community programmes
    • Population management
    • Human elephant conflict mitigation
    • Nutrition
    • Elephant protection
    • Elephant monitoring
    • Citizen science
  • Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) and research
  • Emerging technologies
  • Reproduction
  • Behaviour
  • Elephant welfare
  • Veterinary management
  • Captive elephant management

Worldwide Experience director and conservationist, Taryn presented to the symposium on the role of voluntourism in conservation. Below is an excerpt from Taryn’s abstract:

“The last two decades have seen an increase in the ‘voluntourism’ segment of the travel industry. Typically booked as part of a ‘gap year’, summer break or career break, it appears that people are looking for more immersive travel experiences, and genuinely want to contribute toward making a positive difference. Voluntourism provides an opportunity for such travel, where generally no experience is required. Professional organisations offering these placements will provide a thorough orientation and training for volunteers, and ensure all duties are safe and supervised, forming part of a structured programme that fits into an integrated conservation plan.

A popular choice when choosing a voluntourism experience is a conservation-based option, with elephants ranking as one of the most popular animals to work with. There are unfortunately unethical projects on the market promoting voluntourism experiences in an ethical light, only for volunteers to realise they have been ‘scammed’ into believing they will be benefitting animals and local communities. Thorough research when selecting a voluntourism placement is crucial, not only to ensure volunteers receive a professional, safe and supervised experience, but also for peace of mind that they are supporting an operation that is authentic and ethical, with the welfare of animals as a top priority.”

Following attendance of the symposium, Taryn had this to say, “Symposiums such as the IEF’s International Elephant Conservation and Research Symposium play an important role in conservation. The spectrum of people and organisations represented at the symposium was truly diverse, and it’s vital to understand as many different perspectives as possible when addressing conservation challenges. It was beautiful to be in a room of over 150 people all united through a love of elephants! The symposium was exceptionally well organised – a huge thank you to the IEF team for making this event happen, and for all that they do for elephants!”

Worldwide Experience is looking forward to working with the IEF and other organisations through new partnerships made at the symposium. Also at the symposium were the founders of our two elephant conservation programmes. Find out more about our volunteer programmes that are dedicated to elephants: