Hi guys and thanks for visiting. I can't quite believe I'm running a half marathon and I'm sure you can't believe it either. It will probably be my last, so please find it in your hearts to dig deep and give for a very worthy cause that is particularly close to my heart. A lot of people say, 'Why would I sponsor a wildlife charity when I can give to a charity that will help humans?' Quite simply, humans and wildlife fit together. In this case, wildlife contributes to tourism that boosts economies and provides jobs. Without ecotourism in Africa, many more people would suffer from malnutrition and starvation. Julie and I visited the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi in 2004 and have since sponsored one of their orphaned elephants. It has also been the subject of two BBC series 'The Elephant Diaries'. All over Kenya, elephants are inhumanely trapped for their ivory and the bushmeat trade, most often leading to a slow, agonising death. However, it is not just this animal that suffers, as it often leaves behind orphaned offspring. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust rescues these orphans and flies them to the Nairobi nursery, where they are doted on 24 hours a day by the keepers, who replicate the role of the orphan's mother, even sleeping with them. The dedication of these guys is astounding. As the elephants grow, they are transferred to a semi-wild stockade where they continue their rehabilitation. Eventually, the elephants are allowed to leave of their own accord, in order to live fulfilling lives in the wild, but are always welcome back to the stockade whenever they wish. Kenya has fallen on hard times recently, with tribal clashes claiming many lives. In turn, this has led to a drastic reduction in tourism that has reverberated through the economy. The DSWT has also suffered, as it relies heavily on tourism for donations. Please find it in your hearts to dig deep and donate to this astonishing charity, which means so much to me. And don't forget to claim Giftaid so that the taxman adds another 28%! Thanks very much. Dean
|
