EXECUTIVE TEAM

> Sandra D. Groves

> Douglas A. Groves

Co Founder and Director

Doug has been working with and studying elephants since 1972. Before coming to Africa in 1987 to work on a film project involving elephants, he had worked with elephants in zoological and wildlife parks on the west coast of the USA for 15 years. Once in Africa his attachment to and passion for elephants only deepened and he decided to commit the rest of his life to studying them and their needs and to teaching others about them. Doug has since been involved in numerous research, educational, film and eco-tourism projects involving African Elephants. He is also full-time caregiver for three orphaned African elephants whom he adopted shortly after arriving in Africa. The moments in life he finds the most fulfilling are when, with an elephant trunk gently resting in his hand, he walks the elephants single file into the bush to find their food for the day, while he shares with visitors walking beside him his knowledge of the elephants' habits and needs and the dangers facing them.

> Leano Dittadi

Elephant Handler

Leano has been working with the elephants since 2002. He first started to work with Morula and then learnt to work with Jabu and Thembi. Today Leano is an excellent elephant handler and is happy to share his knowledge about elephants with the kids who participate in the Elephant Outreach Program.

> Julien Marchais

Program Co-ordinator

Julien earned in 2000 his MSc. in animal ecology and wildlife conservation from the University of Paris VI, France. In 2001, Julien joined the Living Elephants herd as a volunteer. He helped organize and run the Elephant Outreach Program (EOP) since inception in May 2001 and coordinate the Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation project (HECMP). His objective is to work for both the conservation of wild mammals and the development of rural populations, the two issues being linked.

> Ika

Education Coordinator & Research Field Assitant

Ikwathlhaeng Kebatlogetse (Ika) hails from the village of Boro and first encountered Jabu, Thembi and Marula several years ago when she accompanied a group of children from her village to Elephant Camp. Now adult, she is keen to promote conservation and help the local children increase their understanding of the wildlife in the Okavango and its importance to their community. Ikwathihaeng is 22 years old and comes from a family of 4, several of whom still farm in the area. Her enthusiastic nature, interpretive skills and love of both children and elephants make her an outstanding addition to the LWE team.

> Kelsey Envik

Co-Founder and Research Associate

Kelsey received her BA in Economics and Sociology from Queen's University, Canada in 1993. In 2001 she completed her Masters Degree in Environmental Science from the University of Calgary. Her masters project, predominantly funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), involved investigating sources of conflict between the African Elephant and people in Botswana, and developing non-governmental strategies aimed at resolution. As an outgrowth of her work, she helped establish the project scope and organizational framework for LWE. In addition, Kelsey has worked on other worldwide community conservation initiatives with organizations such as Conservation International, the David Suzuki Foundation and Leadership Initiative For Earth (LIFE).

> Liz Ball

Communications advisior

Liz is Vice President of Tom Fowler, Inc., an award winning, internationally recognized graphic design firm located in Norwalk, Connecticut, USA. She has over 20 years experience in developing unique solutions to a wide variety of design projects, from package design, consumer promotion, corporate identity and now web design. Her love of elephants and Africa drew her to LWE. She is a member of the AIGA, CADC, Brand Design Council and Type Directors Club. She has traveled throughout Africa, Caribbean, US, Canada, Papua New Guinea and Europe.

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