Elephant Ivory Project Mission:

To conduct field research in partnership with the Center for Conservation Biology and other appropriate organizations, aiding innovative elephant ivory forensics programs, and creating educational media to build public and political will to stop the illegal ivory trade.

Objectives of the organization:

1. Complete the DNA map of African elephants
2. Utilize African elephant DNA map to pinpoint herds targeted for poaching.
3. Provide DNA data necessary to trace the illegal ivory trade routes.
4. Produce television, print and online media to educate the public about the current elephant poaching epidemic and international ivory trade.
5. Leverage a scientifically informed media and public awareness campaign to influence responsible decisions regarding elephant conservation funding and policy.

Objectives of Project:

1. Collect 30 elephant scat samples from five focus areas, for a total of at least 150  samples across eastern DRC.
2. Integrate data into a comprehensive map of African elephant DNA.
3. Document health and status through photo and video of forest elephant populations.
4. Produce a feature documentary on the international ivory trade with a focus on African elephants and wildlife forensics to be distributed on television and as an independent film project.
5. Produce print media for magazine and photo exhibitions.
6. Create an online and social media campaign to build public and political will for elephant conservation.

Focus Area of the Project:

In the fall of 2010, we plan to survey at least 5 populations of elephants focused in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. These populations have survived through some of the deadliest fighting of the 20th century and many are on the brink of survival. If we are able to raise sufficient funds, we will expand our focus area to include other populations in Eastern DRC. Below is a map of primary target populations.

Elephant Ivory Project focus area.