Meet Ganesh
Ganesh is a 15 year old bull elephant living at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, Sabah, Malaysia.
Ganesh and 15 other endangered Bornean elephants have primarily come into captivity as a result of human-elephant conflict and sadly cannot be returned to the wild. This requires a significant commitment to their lifelong care and welfare.
We first visited Lok Kawi four years ago and since then we have been working tirelessly to improve the welfare of these elephants by supporting the animal care staff so they can better provide quality care to the animals. We need your help to continue our critical work!
Wild Welfare provides support to captive facilities to help ensure that individual animals are not only able to survive, but thrive.
There are less than 2,000 Bornean elephants remaining in the wild with 26 living in captivity in Borneo. Human-elephant conflict is one of the leading causes pushing this distinct subspecies to the brink of extinction. Their habitat is increasingly fragmented, groups are divided, and conflict with humans has resulted in a growing number of individuals, especially orphaned babies, coming into captivity. These elephants need specialised care to recover physically, socially and emotionally.
Wild Welfare is committed to driving forward positive welfare changes for animals held in zoos and sanctuaries worldwide, including elephants. Rather than condemning facilities for poor conditions, we work collaboratively with animal care staff to create immediate and long-term improvements that will allow animals in their care to thrive.
You can help us to make a difference to elephants in need
By sharing skills, knowledge and information with animal caregivers, our team has been working diligently to make a difference to the lives of animals like Ganesh. This charming and highly intelligent elephant is now able to move freely and just last month we were able to witness him take his first deep water bath in several years, which was a profound moment.
Ganesh’s story is just one example of the changes that can be made through collaboration and care, but there is still more work to be done for animals around the world.
Whether it’s improving existing elephant care standards in a zoo or sanctuary, or providing support and guidance to elephant caregivers, we can make change happen where it’s most needed.
A training milestone with Ganesh – successful cooperative care training for blood draws using positive reinforcement.
Field Director Dave bonding with Ganesh
You can make a difference by making a donation today.
As a charity we are reliant upon the generosity of people like you who are passionate about improving captive animal welfare. Rest assured, your donation will make a big impact where it’s most needed.
Thank you for being a voice for captive wildlife and helping animals like Ganesh on their journey from conflict to care.