Past International Outreach


For this year's international partners, read more here.

2023 Collaboration

AFRICA

ElephantVoices – Kenya
To continue research, fieldwork in Amboseli National Park, and further development of searchable database, The Elephant Ethogram: A Library of African Elephant Behavior, documenting the complex and diverse repertoire of African savanna elephant behavior and communication. 
elephantvoices.org


Elephants Without Borders — Botswana
For focus on human-elephant conflict within communities of northern Botswana and field work supplementing waterholes for elephants and other wildlife.
elephantswithoutborders.org


Stellenbosch University — South Africa
To support ongoing research to improve the health and welfare of African elephants. 
sun.ac.za


Utopia Scientific / Caitlin O’Connell / African Elephant Society — Namibia
For elephant field study in Etosha National Park, gathering data on elephant behaviors, family hierarchies, and relationships of male elephants. 
utopiascientific.org


Working Dogs for Conservation — Nigeria
To support field work with canine teams to rapidly identify, track, and stop poachers in elephant range countries.
Wd4c.com

ASIA

Animals Asia Foundation — Vietnam
To expand the model for ethical tourism program, removing elephants from elephant riding tourism and developing opportunities for freedom to roam in Dak Lak province.
animalsasia.org


Wild Welfare — Malaysia
To support fieldwork, education, and elephant staff training in protected contact for improved care and wellbeing of captive Bornean elephants at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park in Sabah.
wildwelfare.org


Wildlife SOS — India
To continue the Chhattisgarh Elephant Safety Project work for better understanding of herd movements, the mitigation of human-elephant conflict, and the protection of wild elephants. 
wildlifesos.org

EUROPE 

Elephant Haven— France 
To assist with the purchase of equipment for maintaining and preparing land that will provide more space and accommodate elephants in need of sanctuary.
elephanthaven.com

SOUTH AMERICA

Global Sanctuary for Elephants — Brazil
For support of expanding facilities for refuge, rehabilitation, and lifetime care of captive African elephants in South America.
globalelephants.org

2022 Collaboration

AFRICA

ElephantVoices – Kenya
To continue research, fieldwork in Amboseli National Park, and further development of searchable database, The Elephant Ethogram: A Library of African Elephant Behavior, documenting the complex and diverse repertoire of African savanna elephant behavior and communication. 
elephantvoices.org


Elephants Without Borders — Botswana
For protection and care of orphaned elephants as they transition to a fully natural environment in the elephant range in preparation for release into the wild.
elephantswithoutborders.org


Stellenbosch University — South Africa
To support ongoing research to improve the health and welfare of African elephants. 
sun.ac.za


Utopia Scientific / Caitlin O’Connell / African Elephant Society — Namibia
For fieldwork in Etosha National Park gathering data on elephant behaviors, family hierarchies, conflict resolution over resources, and relationships of male elephants. 
utopiascientific.org


Working Dogs for Conservation — Nigeria
To increase the presence of canine teams used to rapidly identify, track, and stop poachers in elephant range countries.
Wd4c.com

ASIA

Animals Asia Foundation — Vietnam
To broaden the model for ethical tourism program, removing elephants from elephant riding tourism and developing opportunities for freedom to roam in Dak Lak province.
animalsasia.org


Wild Welfare — Malaysia
To support fieldwork, education, and training for improved care and welfare of captive Bornean elephants at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park in Sabah.
wildwelfare.org


Wildlife SOS — India
To continue the Chhattisgarh Elephant Safety Project work in the mitigation of human-elephant conflict and the protection of wild elephants. 
wildlifesos.org

EUROPE 

Elephant Haven— France 
For staffing and training to meet the needs of Gandhi, Asian elephant retired in 2021, and for preparations for additional retired zoo and circus elephants.
elephanthaven.com

SOUTH AMERICA

Global Sanctuary for Elephants — Brazil
For support of expanding facilities for refuge, rehabilitation, and lifetime care of captive elephants in South America.
globalelephants.org

2021 Collaboration 

Animals Asia Foundation (Vietnam)

www.animalsasia.org

Provide a model for retirement of elephants in the tourism industry in Dak Lak province, Vietnam.

ElephantVoices (Africa)

www.elephantvoices.org

Launch of a searchable database, The Elephant Ethogram: A Library of African Elephant Behavior, documenting the complex and diverse repertoire of African savanna elephant behavior and communication.

Elephant Haven (Europe)

www.elephanthaven.com

Purchase of a backup generator for Europe’s first sanctuary dedicated to elephants.

Elephants Without Borders (Africa)

www.elephantswithoutborders.org

Supporting continued care of four orphaned elephants as they transition to a fully natural environment in the elephant range in preparation for eventual release into the wild.

Global Sanctuary for Elephants (Brazil)

www.globalelephants.org

Expansion of Global Sanctuary Brazil to meet the needs of elephants identified for transfer to sanctuary.

Stellenbosch University (Africa)

Continued assistance for research to improve the health and welfare of African elephants.

Utopia Scientific — Caitlin O’Connell — African Elephant Society (Africa)

www.utopiascientific.org

Supporting fieldwork to gather data and demonstrate that male African elephants form stable bonded groups.

Wildlife SOS (India)

www.wildlifesos.org

In support of the Chhattisgarh Elephant Safety project to analyze GPS data and lead community work to mitigate human-elephant conflict for the protection of wild elephants.

Wild Welfare (East Malaysia)

www.wildwelfare.org

To improve the care and welfare of captive Bornean elephants at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park in Sabah, East Malaysia.

Working Dogs 4 Conservation (Africa and Asia)
www.wd4c.org

To enhance technology and implement artificial intelligence networked cameras in sites where dogs are deployed to rapidly identify, track, and stop poachers in elephant range countries.

2020 Collaborations

Animals Asia Foundation (China)
www.animalsasia.org

In support of workshops for staff of 50 zoos in China demonstrating behavioral and protected contact management and enrichment.

ElephantVoices (Africa)

www.elephantvoices.org

To continue work in Amboseli to document African elephant behavior and develop a searchable database, as well as to travel and consult at The Sanctuary in 2020.

Elephant Haven (Europe)

www.elephanthaven.com

To support the building of a barn and perimeter fence for Europe’s first sanctuary dedicated to elephants.

Elephants Without Borders (Africa)

www.elephantswithoutborders.org

For the continued care of the three orphaned elephants and the addition of one new calf (rescued at the age of two months and requiring critical care), and educational outreach focused on human-elephant conflict.

Global Sanctuary for Elephants (Brazil)

www.globalelephants.org

To help with the expansion of Global Sanctuary Brazil to meet the needs of elephants identified for transfer to sanctuary.

Stellenbosch University (Africa)

Continued assistance for research to improve the health and welfare of African elephants.

Utopia Scientific — Caitlin O’Connell — African Elephant Society (Africa)

www.utopiascientific.org

In support of fieldwork to gather data and demonstrate that male African elephants form stable bonded groups.

Wildlife SOS (India)

www.wildlifesos.org

In support of the Chhattisgarh Elephant Safety project to analyze GPS data and lead community work to mitigate human-elephant conflict for the protection of wild elephants.

Wild Welfare (East Malaysia)

www.wildwelfare.org

For training of elephant personnel at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park in Sabah, East Malaysia to improve the immediate and long-term quality of care and welfare of 14 Bornean elephants.

Working Dogs 4 Conservation (Africa and Asia)
www.wd4c.org

To care and train rescue dogs in global conservation projects in the field in Zambia and Tanzania to enhance safety and rapid response.

2019 Collaborations

ElephantVoices (Africa)
www.elephantvoices.org

For the expansion of a unique, user-friendly, fully searchable elephant gestures and calls database to document the complex and diverse communication and behavior of African elephants for scientists and others to study, compare and share.

Elephant Haven (Europe)

www.elephanthaven.com

To support barn needs for Europe’s first dedicated sanctuary for elephants.



Wildlife SOS (India)

www.wildlifesos.org

To help monitor and understand elephant movements within the Raipur districts of Chhattisgarh and to train Forest Department officers in human-elephant conflict mitigation.



Stellenbosch University (Africa)

In support of expanded TB research in wild elephants.

Caitlin O’Connell/Utopia Scientific/African Elephant Society (Africa)

www.utopiascientific.org

For continued research of the long-term dynamic of wild African elephant societies and the implications for conservation. Research takes place within the northeast region of Etosha National Park, Namibia at Mushara waterhole.

Working Dogs 4 Conservation (Africa and Asia)

www.wd4c.org

To train rescue dogs in global conservation projects including the detection of ivory poaching and trafficking.

Global Sanctuary for Elephants (Brazil)

www.globalelephants.org

To help secure land in preparation for the retirement of more elephants in South America.

Elephants Without Borders (Africa)

www.elephantswithoutborders.org

To provide care for three abandoned and rescued elephant calves in Botswana until they can be reintroduced back into the wild.

Animals Asia Foundation (China)

www.animalsasia.org

To support training opportunities for elephant managers in Chinese zoos that will equip them to better meet the complex needs of captive elephants.

Wild Welfare (East Malaysia)

www.wildwelfare.org

Training for elephant personnel at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park in Sabah, East Malaysia to improve the immediate and long-term quality of care and welfare of 14 Bornean elephants.

2018 Collaborations

A generous bequest from Mark Hopkins Schell Trust has allowed The Sanctuary to expand international giving in 2018 in support of elephant welfare and conservation efforts around the world. The Sanctuary’s Board reviewed global projects and proposals and has awarded gifts to the following organizations:

ElephantVoices (Africa)
www.elephantvoices.org

For the expansion of a unique, user-friendly, fully searchable elephant gestures and calls database to document the complex and diverse communication and behavior of African elephants for scientists and others to study, compare and share.

Elephant Haven (Europe)
www.elephanthaven.com

To support the building of a barn and perimeter fence for the retirement of the sanctuary’s first elephant in 2018.

Wildlife SOS (India)
www.wildlifesos.org

For Mahout Training Project to better serve the 3,000 captive elephants in the care of mahouts, involving both classroom and field experience in positive reinforcement training, foot care and veterinary needs.

Stellenbosch University (Africa)

In support of expanded TB research in wild elephants.

Caitlin O’Connell/Utopia Scientific/African Elephant Society (Africa)
www.utopiascientific.org

For continued research of the long-term dynamic of wild African elephant societies and the implications for conservation.

Working Dogs 4 Conservation (Africa and Asia)
www.wd4c.org

To train rescue dogs in global conservation projects including the detection of ivory poaching and trafficking.

Global Sanctuary for Elephants (Brazil)
www.globalelephants.org

To help secure land in preparation for the retirement of Asian elephants in South America and support the development of the African Elephant Care Center.

2016/2017 Collaborations

Amboseli Trust for Elephants (Kenya)
www.elephanttrust.org

Elephant Haven (Europe/France)
www.elephanthaven.com

Elephant Voices (South Africa)
www.elephantvoices.org

Elephants Without Borders (Botswana)
www.elephantswithoutborders.org

Global Sanctuary for Elephants (Brazil)
www.globalelephants.org

TB Research Group Stellenbosch University, Student Scholarships (South Africa)

Thailand Elephant Care Center, Veterinary Student Program (Thailand)
www.thaielephantcarecenter.com

Utopia Scientific, Caitlin O’Connell (Africa)

www.utopiascientific.org

Wildlife SOS India, Captive Elephants Welfare Project (India)
www.wildlifesos.org

2014/2015 Collaborations

Duke University’s Humans & Autonomy Laboratory (Africa, Bendje, Gabon)
https://hal.pratt.duke.edu/research-0

Elephant Voices (Nairobi, Kenya)
www.elephantvoices.org

Thailand Elephant Conservation Center (Thailand)
http://www.thailandelephant.org/en/

Utopia Scientific, Caitlin O’Connell (Africa)

www.utopiascientific.org

Chinese Zoo Association (China)

(India, Mumbai)

Global Sanctuary for Elephants (Brazil)
www.globalelephants.org

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