Distance-education university student Eliza Dedini is, herself, going the distance – all the way to Sumatra to help with elephant conservation efforts.
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The young local was inspired by a university course on global environment issues to apply for a scholarship program to aid in revegetation and conservation in the Way Kambas National Park.
The application process involved short written responses to a range of questions and had a particular emphasis on innovative fundraising techniques.
The student program is hosted by Save Indonesian Endangered Species (SIES) fund, a not-for-profit organisation, and is aiming to raise $30,000 through fundraising efforts to ensure the efficacy of conservation efforts.
Eliza was over the moon when she heard of her success in being one of 20 students selected for the program.
“I was in disbelief for about three days. I was convinced it was a dream and I was going to wake up and find out it wasn’t real,” Eliza said.
“My primary interest is in marine conservation but I’m looking forward to making a difference to terrestrial animal conservation efforts.
“I want to help by donating my time. I’ve been told that time is more valuable than money, if you can afford to give it.”
Eliza and the 19 others selected will help build an elephant reservoir to ensure adequate water supply for the elephants during the dry season, and also a food farm to help improve the nutrition of the captive animals in the Elephant Conservation Centre.
The project aims to improve the lives of local humans too by employing them on the food farm and in forest restoration projects.
Way Kambas National Park in Indonesia is home to 70 captive Sumatran elephants (a startling 3.5% of the entire population on the endangered species) and approximately 200 wild elephants.
The park also provides a home for Sumatran tigers, rhinoceroses, tapirs, sunbears, clouded leopards and many more species.
The national park is currently at risk from rampant poaching, vindictive arson and climate change effects, so this appeal is crucial to the survival of the elephants.
If you would like to make a donation, you can do so through this link https://www.chuffed.org/project/saving-sumatran-elephants-food-appeal. Please scroll down to Eliza’s name to contribute to her fundraising effort.
Mel Leigh Dee
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
