Elephant Parade and Emeralds raise funds for Asian Elephants

The models wearing the specially commissioned emerald jewellery which was auctioned alongside the Emerald Queen in Selfridges Wonder Room.

The Emeralds for Elephants auction took place on Wednesday, 23 June in Selfridges Wonder Room. Resplendent on her throne, the World Land Trust’s (WLT) Emerald Queen and her emerald head-dress had centre stage, and models mingled with guests, wearing the emerald jewellery which was auctioned alongside the elephant.

The Sotheby’s auctioneer was inundated with bids for the collection of bespoke emerald pieces, designed by eight leading jewellery designers, using Gemfields’s ethically-sourced emeralds which had been donated for this purpose. The Emerald Queen herself, designed by Sabine Roemer again using Gemfields Zambian emeralds, sold for £150,000.

The other 258 elephants from the Elephant Parade were auctioned on 30th June and 3rd July and WLT's Pearly Prince sold for £18,000 raising further funds for WLT’s project partners, the Wildlife Trust of India. Funds will go to save urgent elephant corridors throughout the country.

Limited Edition Elephant Friendship Bracelets featuring Swarovski pearls are also raising funds for elephants in India.

Read more about the Emeralds for Elephants event »

Find out more about the auctioned Elephants »

Reintroduction of Capuchins to Buenaventura Reserve, Ecuador

Two suitable reintroduction sites for the White-fronted Capuchin Monkey (Cebus albifrons aequatorialis) have been identified on the Buenaventura Reserve in southern Ecuador.  Capuchins were last spotted in the area that is now the Fundación Jocotoco Buenaventura Reserve, 25 years ago.

Francisco Sornoza, Director of Conservation at Fundación Jocotoco, together with researcher Wilmer Quimíz have investigated the potential of reintroducing the species into Buenaventura as part of a long-term reintroduction project.

Read more about Capuchin Reintroduction at Buenaventura »

WTI convenes important meeting to discuss New Elephant Corridors

In April, WLT Project Partner Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) convened a ground breaking meeting of conservation experts

The workshop participants reviewed the status of 88 corridors previously identified by WTI as critical for the survival of the Asian Elephant in India. A further 2 corridors were suggested for protection at the workshop, which will allow safe passage for elephants, reducing elephant conflict with humans.

Read more about the Elephant Corridor Workshops and the inauguration of the new corridor sign »

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New Book Celebrates the unique Pantanal

This month, a new book on the Pantanal landscape, wildlife and people has been launched by WLT Project Partner Guyra Paraguay, in co-ordination with photographer, Emily Y. Horton.

This bilingual book entitled 'Gran Pantanal Paraguay' brings to life the beauty of the unique, yet threatened, wetland habitat of the Paraguayan Pantanal.

Read more about this beautiful new book and view the accompanying film »

Conservation on the Ground

For WLT and Ecuadorian partner Fundación EcoMinga, purchasing land is just the beginning of protecting species and habitats as reserves must be managed to protect species effectively.

An integral part of this management and protection is the work carried out by the rangers who patrol, reserves to ensure against hunting and encroachment. Work includes patrolling the WLT supported Cerro Candelaria Reserve, photographing wildlife such as this Black-and-Chestnut Eagle (Spizaetus isidori) and attending workshops on species conservation.

Read more about EcoMinga's conservation work on the ground including organising conferences on Tapir conservation »

Other news and updates

Event: Colourful Encounters in Central London 8th - 30th July

New Nature Trail Created at Kites Hill, UK

Zoos making a world of difference in Brazil

WLT-BBC WIldlife Camera Trap Competition Closing Date 12th July