What if we could count all of the African elephants?
Could counting help save them?
Paul, Dr. Mike Chase and a dedicated group of conservationists set out to count Africa’s elephants in an effort called the Great Elephant Census (GEC). Their goal was to learn how many remain and where, then use the information to help protect these iconic animals from the poachers who are driving them toward extinction.
“This was an extraordinary collaboration across borders, cultures and jurisdictions. We succeeded in completing a survey of massive scale, and what we learned is deeply disturbing.”
“Armed with this knowledge of dramatically declining elephant populations, we share a collective responsibility to take action and do our part to ensure the preservation of this iconic species.”
– Paul G. Allen
THE Atlas
Our elephant conservation efforts have led us to develop innovative ways to educate and inspire people to join the cause. Using the Great Elephant Census data, we’ve created an interactive atlas to visualize and personalize the African elephant decline in an enlightening and provocative way. This shows how the count was done and allows you the ability to compare populations across countries to highlight the greatest areas in need.
Elephants Without Borders
“If we can’t save the African elephant, what is the hope of conserving the rest of Africa’s wildlife? I am hopeful that, with the right tools, research, conservation efforts and political will, we can help conserve elephants for decades to come.”
– Mike Chase
Chase has been studying the ecology of elephants in Botswana for nearly 15 years, and together with Paul, conceptualized the Great Elephant Census. Eager to conserve Africa’s wildlife and wild places, he served as the principal investigator for the survey.
Our Films
Through Vulcan Productions, Paul has also developed several films to highlight both the majesty and horror facing these amazing creatures. These films get personal and offer solutions for building a stable elephant population and reducing the number of endangered species we lose every year.
The Ivory Game is an undercover feature-documentary, set to expose the dark world of ivory trafficking. The African elephant faces extinction as poachers wreak slaughter in pursuit of the ‘white gold’ of ivory, considered a symbol of luxury and power amongst the new rising Chinese middle-class.
WATCH NOW:
Available on Netflix
Naledi: A Baby Elephant’s Tale tells the incredible, true-life story of a baby elephant born into a rescue camp in the wilderness of Botswana.
Mind of a Giant explores what it is like to be an elephant, as revealed by revolutionary new research. As a team of scientists struggles to find out how many elephants are left in Africa, they discover that in order to survive, the elephants are learning, collaborating and passing information between them.
In Racing Extinction, a team of artists and activists exposes the hidden world of extinction with never-before-seen images that will change the way we see the planet.
SCREENINGS:
Monday, Sept. 5, 7:00 p.m. PST
World Conservation Congress — Hawaii Theatre, HI
PAUL’S CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Paul’s elephant efforts are a part of his longstanding dedication to wildlife conservation and environmental stewardship globally. Using foundational data, innovative approaches and policy change, he helps strengthen the communities affected by human-wildlife conflict and works to ensure stable and thriving generations of wild animals like elephants, apes, sharks and manta rays.
