January 28, 2020
Documentary: Human-Elephant conflict in Myanmar: The Untold Story
Location: Story & Song Bookstore Bistro 1430 Park Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL Date/Time: February 5, 2020 4 – 5 pm
M. Dane Waters is a political strategist, elephant protection advocate, builder and designer, author, and direct democracy advocate. He has worked in over 100 countries on six continents providing strategic advice to campaigns, governments, activists, academic institutions, and NGO’s. He has also consulted on projects with the United Nations and the U.S. Department of State. He was a political appointee in President George H. W. Bush’s administration and served as the Political Director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund and the Humane Society of the United States. But through all his eclectic experience, his passion has always been elephants.
Ever since he saw his first elephant come off the circus train (something he adamantly abhors) in Birmingham, Alabama, he has wanted to do what he could to protect elephants from the pain and suffering inflicted upon them by humans. He founded the non-profit The Elephant Project as the way to see this passion come to fruition.
The Elephant Project’s efforts are global, but the organization’s focus has been on Asian elephants (specifically Myanmar) – who are more endangered than African elephants. With less than 50,000 remaining, poaching for ivory and their skin, along with the dramatic increase in human-elephant conflicts due to extensive deforestation has made their future bleak.
Dane will preview The Elephant Project’s upcoming documentary on the plight of Myanmar’s elephant population and discuss why the rise in human-elephant is occurring and what will happen if nothing is done quickly to change the trend.
Additional information: theelephantproject.net