Elephant Tails Podcast

In this episode of Elephant Tails, we sit down with Wildlife SOS co-founder Geeta Seshamani to talk about the importance of empowering women to help conserve wildlife. During Geeta’s decade-long fight to eradicate the cruel ‘dancing’ bear practice in India, she immersed herself in the day-to-day lives of tribal communities. She learned that lasting change begins with uplifting women and girls from misogynistic traditions. Geeta listened to their hopes and needs, and devised clever ways to help these women gain valuable skills and education, allowing them to earn income and gain newfound respect in their communities.Twenty years later these tribal women have permanent homes, their daughters are going to school and even college, they’re earning income for their families, and they’ve become conservation leaders in their communities.Read more about the successful women and children of the Kalendar community: https://wildlifesos.org/tribal-rehabilition-programs/on-the-path-of-hope-mahaks-journey-through-wildlife-sos-tribal-rehabilitation-programme/ Geeta is interviewed by Wildlife SOS Director of Marketing and Communications, Dana Wilson. Learn more about Wildlife SOS at wildlifesos.org. 

This is the first in a three-part series discussing the work of Wildlife SOS to conserve wild elephant herds in India and reduce human-elephant conflict. This hands-on research and tracking in the state of Chhattisgarh is a pilot project we hope will expand to protect each and every one of the 27,000 wild Asian elephants left in India.SUPPORT OUR WORK WITH WILD ELEPHANTSWildlife SOS Director of Marketing and Communications, Dana Wilson chats with Thomas Sharp about the current status of elephants in Asia, what direct actions are being taken to protect wild herds, and what Wildlife SOS researchers are discovering that will help more elephants in the future.Tom is the Director of Conservation and Research for Wildlife SOS and Co-Chair IUCN Sloth Bear Expert Team specializing in sloth bears, Asian elephants, reptiles and leopards in India. With 25 years of experience studying wildlife around the globe, Tom has worked with many species from turtles, snakes and crocodiles, nesting birds and raptors, small mammals, blue bull deer, and of course bears, leopards and elephants. He received his Master’s in biology from Northeastern University in Chicago.Read more about our Chhattisgarh Wild Elephant Project Wildlife SOS is a Delhi based wildlife conservation nonprofit with offices in the USA and UK. Learn more at wildlifesos.org 

In this episode of Elephant Tails, Wildlife SOS Director of Advocacy and Engagement Kip Peterson talks about the Founders' Trip, where a handful of guest get the VIP treatment and an exclusive tour of India with Kartick and Geeta, Co-Founders of Wildlife SOS. See colorful sights including historic Old Delhi, our Elephant Care and Conservation Centre, the Taj Mahal, and search for wild tigers in the spectacular Ranthambore National Park. Learn more about the experience and plan for your future adventure meeting the elephants of Wildlife SOS as they play in Yamuna river. It's the trip of a lifetime!Kip is interviewed by Wildlife SOS Executive Director Nikki Sharp. To learn more about Wildlife SOS and our lifesaving work helping India's elephants, bears, leopards and other amazing animals, visit wildlifesos.org

In this episode of Elephant Tails, we talk to Tom Sharp, Director of Conservation and Research for Wildlife SOS, and co-chair of the IUCN Sloth Bear expert team about the relocation and study of a wild sloth bear near the Bannerghatta National Park in Karnataka, India.There has been very little scientific study of wild sloth bears, so when this particular bear came in conflict with local villagers outside the national park, it was a great opportunity to track the movements of a while bear.Tom is interviewed by Wildlife SOS Director of Marketing and Communications, Dana Wilson. Learn more about Wildlife SOS at wildlifesos.org . Please subscribe to this podcast and follow the adventures of Wildlife SOS on:FacebookInstagramTwitterLinkedIn

Why do we care for these poor elephants? In short, because we refuse to see them die in chains, deprived of dignity. Every one of them deserves a fighting chance.In this episode of Elephant Tails , Arinita Sandilya talks with Geeta Seshamani about a difficult topic ... why does Wildlife SOS go to so much effort to help critically ill elephants with little hope of survival? If you follow our work closely, you know of the recent rescue operations for Bella, Luna, Champa, Sonkali, Lakshmi and other elephants we tried so hard to help, but their condition was too dire to survive. Geeta also discusses euthanasia and why it's not as common a practice in India as in other countries.For over three decades, Geeta's life has been centered on the profound belief that man can coexist with animals and forests. She is the Co-Founder and Secretary of Wildlife SOS and Vice President of Friendicoes SECA. 

Kuber is a sociable sloth bear who was rescued from poachers when he was only 2 months old. He is now living at the  Wildlife SOS Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre in Bangalore, India.In this episode of Elephant Tails,  Sandhi Priya, Manager of Corporate and Philanthropic Partnership chats about Kuber with Dr. Arun A Sha, Director of Veterinary Research and Operations. They discuss Kuber's fun personality, Wildlife SOS's anti-poaching program Forest Watch, and Kuber's fight to overcome a cerebral hemorrhage. Read more about Kuber here.Learn more about Wildlife SOS at wildlifesos.org 

In this episode, Manager for Public Relations and Events, Shirina Sawhney sits down with Wildlife SOS CEO and co-founder Kartick Satyanarayan to discuss the challenges of rescuing and caring for male elephants. Bulls are strong, solitary, and go into musth annually. They can be extremely challenging to rescue and care for day-to-day.After dozens and dozens of rescues by our experienced teams, every life-saving sortie presents its own unique challenges. Wildlife SOS teams often face hostile mobs, organized crime, tragically abused animals, and long and difficult journeys in the Elephant Ambulance as they bring elephants to the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre for physical and mental healing, and a new life of peace.Learn more about Wildlife SOS at wildlifesos.org 

Interested in volunteering with Wildlife SOS in India? In this episode we chat with Education and Conservation Officer Shivam Rai about what to expect when you volunteer to care for bears and elephants at one of our conservation centres. Shivam has spent five years connecting with volunteers, answering their questions, and working with volunteers and visitors.  Learn more about visiting or volunteering with Wildlife SOS at wildlifesos.org 

In this episode, Manager for Public Relations and Events, Shirina Sawhney sits down with Wildlife SOS CEO and co-founder Kartick Satyanarayan to discuss the challenges of rescuing an elephant. After dozens and dozens of rescues by our experienced teams, every life-saving sortie presents its own unique challenges. Wildlife SOS teams often face hostile mobs, organized crime, tragically abused animals, and long and difficult journeys in the Elephant Ambulance as they bring elephants to the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre for physical and mental healing, and a new life of peace.Learn more about Wildlife SOS at wildlifesos.org 

Strong international wildlife laws are critical to cracking down on poaching and protecting endangered species. We've all seen the caches of seized elephant tusks or rhino horns, but what happens when live animals are intercepted while being transported by black markets? This is a story of a large group of Indian star tortoises seized in Singapore and repatriated to their native home on the Deccan Plateau in India.Wildlife SOS Director of Marketing and Communications, Dana Wilson chats with Thomas Sharp about the great lengths governments and animal welfare organizations went to help these little victims of the exotic pet trade. Tom is a Director of Conservation and Research for Wildlife SOS and Co-Chair IUCN Sloth Bear Expert Team specializing in sloth bears, Asian elephants, reptiles and leopards in India. With 25 years of experience studying wildlife around the globe, Tom has worked with many species from turtles, snakes and crocodiles, nesting birds and raptors, small mammals, blue bull deer, and of course bears, leopards and elephants. He received his Master’s in biology from Northeastern University in Chicago.Learn more about Wildlife SOS at wildlifesos.org