Wildlife conservation often seems like an uphill battle, and it can be confusing to know what we can all do to help! Are my bamboo toothbrushes and reusable coffee mugs really making a difference? How can we all do more?!
Well, for those of you wanting to do more to protect the worlds’ wildlife, we’ve got just the thing for you! You can now support elephant conservation from the comfort of your sofa or even your local watering hole! But how?...
Well we all love a drink from time to time don't we... especially after a long day trying to save the world! Elephant Gin, a ground-breaking company, donates 15% of their profits to some amazing elephant conservation causes across Africa. So, while you're laid back sipping on your G&T, you're also quietly doing your bit for wildlife conservation! It’s a win-win!
Gin and Elephants might not be an obvious combination, but it was to Elephant Gin founders Tessa & Robin. Inspired by their own safari adventures in Africa and with a passion for conservation, they decided to make a difference. A sacred tradition whilst on safari is to enjoy watching the sun slowly set over the savannah with a cold drink, also known as a 'sundowner'; and more often than not this involves a good old slug of gin. The idea of the perfect sundowner-gin was born along with Tessa and Robin’s vision to conserve the wildlife they feel so passionately for.
Now that all sounds wonderful - but what are they actually doing with those profits and is it really making a difference?
Well, with every full-size bottle of gin sold, Elephant Gin contributes 15% of the profits to 2 conservation organisations - Big Life Foundation and Space for Elephants; both of which are working on vital conservation work!
Poaching is obviously a huge issue for Elephants across Africa, and Big Life Foundation employs over 280 rangers that help to protect 2 million acres of wilderness in the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem of East Africa (just north of Mount Kilimanjaro). They work with resident Maasai people to improve quality of life and satisfy economic interests, alongside managing human-wildlife conflict through innovative conservation strategies. The funds from Elephant Gin directly contributes to the salaries, rations, and equipment of 35 anti-poaching rangers.
The Space For Elephants Foundation (SFEF) have big dreams! They want to allow a hundred thousand elephants to range freely across Africa, using centuries-old trails that have since been cut-off. To do this, SFEF are trying to restore old migratory routes that were lost when game reserves were fenced in, leading to the isolation of elephants in “pockets”, breaking up huge herds and negatively affecting wildlife. SFEF work in areas of South Africa where unemployment is rife, to create opportunities for people and make them aware of the value of wildlife by educating and showing them how to earn a living through working in conservation. And if that wasn’t enough, Elephant Gin have been funding a local education centre, The Wildlife Spirit, with the aim of educating local people on the importance of protecting their wildlife.
Near Nairobi, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) are an incredible organisation that rescue and rehabilitate orphaned elephants. In fact, DSWT is known as the most successful orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world!! Their pioneering Orphans’ Project is helping to support round-the-clock specialist care of the orphaned elephants, with: proper nutrition, veterinary care, and a human family of full-time keepers alongside well-constructed and maintained stockades for safety and shelter at night.
15% of the profits of every miniature bottle of Elephant Gin are donated to the DSWT and the contributions from Elephant Gin led the organisation to foster 21 orphaned elephants. These elephants are now living in the wild having been raised from infancy by the DSWT and their names can be found on each miniature bottle - so keep an eye out for the elephants you’ve saved on your own mini-bottle!
Each of these organisations are devoted to the conservation of the African elephant, and currently Elephant Gin has contributed over €450,000 to these foundations through the sales of its bottles as well as fundraising events!! AWESOME! The Elephant Gin team regularly visit these projects to keep up to date on their progress and developments, because working closely with these foundations ensures that the donations arrive on the ground and are contributed to select projects.
And here’s the kicker! Not only do Elephant Gin donate to these amazing causes, but the gin is also on point. DAM!
Believe me we are not suggesting that you need to go CRAZY on the stuff... But next time you're thinking about enjoying a good old G&T, why not go for an Elephant Gin? In their own words – ‘The first step to changing the world is having the right spirit!’.