2014_STEAnnualReport

A Letter from Our Chairmanleadership – in science as in conservation - isinclusive and aims to reach out, collaborateand share rather than exclude and monopolise.Again our elephants had a bad yearof being killed or maimed withpoaching at levels that are unsustainable forall concerned: animals, hunters, traders andbuyers. The latest research publication out ofSave the Elephants (STE) estimates that we willhave lost all wild roaming elephants in Africabefore a hundred years have past - unlesssomething changes. This most important ofour studies this year analysed data from acrossAfrica and concluded that death exceeds birthby several percent, which translates into anaccelerated declining elephant population.The importance of this finding is self-evident.And the huge effort of all collaborators in thisstudy cannot be over-stressed – and nor can theimportance of Iain’s support of fundamentalresearch at STE. Beyond the scientific teamitself, the intellectual environment and attitudeis key. Here STE is outstanding amongconservation charities, I believe. At heart Iain isa dyed-in-the-wool scientist who understands,appreciates, encourages and facilitatesfundamental research. Most importantly hisThe impressive team that worked on “Illegalkilling for ivory drives global decline inAfrican elephants” comprised, in additionto Iain, professors and students of ColoradoState University, senior scientists of the KenyaWildlife Service and the Convention onInternational Trade in Endangered Species.And, as always over the last decade, Iain wasmost ably supported by Assistant ProfessorGeorge Wittemeyer, lead author on the paperand Chairman of our authoritative scientificadvisory committee.While research informs our strategy, it is onlyone element in Iain’s daily schedule. Thisyear Iain and his team were spectacularlysuccessful in raising and effectively disbursingover $3 million for the Elephant Crisis Fund.Supporters and friends like those who gaveboth this year and previously make me hopefulthat the current elephant crisis may be stoppedfrom developing into a catastrophe. And Ithink we can all agree that Iain’s leadership willcontinue to be a key contribution.In this spirit, all the best wishes for the yearaheadProfessor Fritz VollrathChairmanwww.savetheelephants.orgSECURING A FUTURE FOR ELEPHANTS 05Sean Dundas Photography