MAKING A DIFFERENCE
 Equitours is committed to the conservation, preservation and maintenance of
habitat, wildlife populations, and open spaces. In 2008 we decided each year we
will donate a portion of our annual profits to a non-profit conservation
organization dedicated to those same goals. In 2008 our selected organization is
the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya.
Their mission statement: The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust embraces
all measures that compliment the conservation, preservation and protection of
wildlife. These include anti-poaching, safeguarding the natural environment,
enhancing community awareness, addressing animal welfare issues, and providing
veterinary assistance to animals in need, rescuing and hand-rearing elephant and
rhino orphans along with other species that can ultimately enjoy a quality of
life in wild terms.”
 You might ask we why support an organization in Kenya, particularly this year
in light of the post-election political upheaval and consequent demonstrations.
We believe this is precisely the time when the wildlife populations and habitat
of Kenya are most in need of international support and scrutiny. A paragraph
from the Trust’s 2007 Newsletter articulates our sentiment:
“…most of us were… somewhat amazed by the reporting of the Western Media,
which portrayed the entire country in chaos, rather than putting matters in
better perspective. In reality, the disturbances were confined to Western Kenya
and some towns of the Rift Valley with some skirmishes around the slum areas of
Nairobi and Mombasa. Nevertheless, they have cost the lives of some 900 people
and displaced thousands of others, even though most of the country remains quiet
and functioning as normal. The negative press highlighted on overseas television
screens for days on end will cost the country dearly, impacting on the country’s
lucrative Tourism Industry, which up until now has been enjoying a bumper boom
period. Now, officials are warning that nearly 1 million people employed in the
country’s lucrative 60 billion a year tourism industry could face lay-offs
should Hotels and Lodges be forced to close following the Travel Advisories
issued by America, Britain and the West. By extension this will adversely also
affect the Kenya Wildlife Service and wildlife conservation in the country.”
 Of the Trust’s myriad projects, we are particularly impressed by the
community outreach program and anti-poaching initiative. We hope to inspire you,
our clients, guests and fellow riding enthusiasts, to join us in becoming
educated about the issue of habitat loss and its effect on the local human
communities and wildlife populations, and donating to this very worthwhile
cause.
Mel Fox worked in Tsavo National Park with Daphne Sheldrick in the 1970’s,
and has supported Daphne and David’s work ever since. Read more about the
Trust’s history, accomplishments and ongoing projects at
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org.
U.S. Friends of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a non-profit 501(c) (3)
organization dedicated to providing financial and technical support to the David
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT). DSWT is a Kenya based wildlife conservation
organization with over 40 years devoted to rescue, rehabilitation and
reintroduction of orphaned elephants, rhinos, and virtually all wildlife. For
more information about donations, sponsorships, and charitable contributions,
visit
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/help_USA.html
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