We were honoured to welcome back Colin Dawson, the Founder and Chairman of The Elephant Foundation, for a powerful and enlightening presentation to our Key Stage Three pupils. This marks the second time Mr. Dawson has visited our school, reinforcing the strong and supportive relationship between Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong and The Elephant Foundation. Our commitment to their cause remains steadfast, and we are eager to continue fostering this important partnership.
The Elephant Foundation, a dedicated anti-poaching and conservation charity based in Hong Kong, has been tirelessly working since its establishment in November 2014 to protect African elephants in East Africa. Their mission to raise awareness about the urgent crisis of elephant and rhinoceros poaching is crucial, as these magnificent species face the threat of extinction within our generation if the demand for their tusks continues unchecked.
During his presentation, Mr. Dawson highlighted several key issues, including the fight against the ivory trade in Hong Kong and China. He emphasized the critical link between poaching and the economic impact on local communities in Africa, where tourism plays a vital role in income and livelihoods.
Our pupils learned about the nature of elephant tusks, which are purely decorative and serve no essential purpose, and rhinoceros tusks, which have some medical properties but can be replaced by numerous alternatives that do not involve harming these endangered animals.
Mr. Dawson also shared inspiring stories of innovation among the youth in Africa, such as the creation of the “Lion Light” by a young innovator. This randomly flashing light experiment, designed to protect livestock from predators, was invented by a 12-year-old child over a decade ago and has since been installed in over 14,000 farms. The inventor, now 25 years old, stands as a testament to the power of youthful ingenuity.
In addition to educating our pupils, Mr. Dawson praised the efforts of the Hong Kong government in changing laws to combat the ivory trade, enforcing more severe penalties—up to 10 years in prison and a HK$10 million fine—to deter the market.
The Elephant Foundation’s fundraising efforts help equip under-resourced rangers who are on the front lines, hunting poachers and protecting these precious animals. Inspired by the talk, many of our pupils prepared donations in little envelopes to support the foundation’s vital work.
We are proud of our pupils for their enthusiasm and generosity, and we look forward to continuing our support for The Elephant Foundation. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against poaching and ensure a future where elephants and rhinoceroses thrive.
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