Elephant Havens: Debra Stevens on Her Work Rescuing Baby Elephants
In this episode of Health Gig, Tricia talks with Debra Stevens, co-founder of Elephant Havens Wildlife Foundation. Debra tells of how this labor of love came to be, describing the deep emotional connections she has formed with elephants, the challenges of caring for orphaned babies, and the importance of community engagement in conservation efforts. She highlights the need for education and collaboration to ensure a harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants, and leaves listeners with an impression of awe amongst these gigantic, lovable animals.
MORE ON GUEST:
Website: https://elephanthavens.org/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elephanthavens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elephant_havens
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qUOTES:
One of the wonderful things about [female] elephants is they will stay together for life. We call them aunties, and Boca is our matriarch now; she assigns who's going to be the auntie for Joy. –Debra Stevens
On a safari once, we were on a night drive and there were two different herds under moonlight and the greetings were unbelievable, they're rubbing trunks and rubbing each other and rumbling. -Debra Stevens
Some will come up and say hello every once in a while. They'll put their trunk on you and just kind of say “I'm here,” and then go wander off and eat their grass, but they're all within view. -Debra Stevens
Show Notes:
Community involvement is crucial for successful conservation efforts.
Elephants have strong emotional connections and memories.
The process of rescuing and rehabilitating elephants is complex and requires dedication.
Education about elephants can help reduce human-wildlife conflict.
The social structure of elephants is matriarchal, deeply emotional, and supportive.
Baby elephants can suffer from trauma and emotional distress.
Elephants are fragile and require careful monitoring during their development.
Rewilding elephants is a long-term commitment that requires monitoring.
Conservation efforts are crucial for the future of elephants.
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