ELEPHANT WEEK 2024:
A Powerful Week of Wildlife Conservation Advocacy
From 25 to 30 November 2024, The Elephant Foundation (TEF) in Hong Kong proudly hosted its annual Elephant Week, a week-long campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges facing elephants and other endangered species. This year’s event was a resounding success, building on the achievements of previous years to reach even more people and inspire meaningful action for wildlife conservation.
TEF remained committed to educating the public—especially younger generations—about the devastating consequences of the ivory trade and the urgent need to protect these majestic animals. Since our inception, we have engaged over 45,000 students across Hong Kong, equipping them with the knowledge to make informed decisions and take a stand against the illegal wildlife trade. By fostering a deeper understanding of conservation, we inspired future advocates to protect our planet's biodiversity.
10th Anniversary Celebration Dinner
Elephant Week 2024 marked a significant milestone in our journey. On 27 November 2024, we held our 10th Anniversary Elephant Dinner at the prestigious Hong Kong Club. This special evening brought together conservationists, supporters, and partners to celebrate a decade of impactful work while raising vital funds to sustain and expand our conservation programmes. The event featured inspirational speeches, heartwarming stories from the field, and live auctions to support initiatives like Ranger Accident Insurance, Lion Lights, and community education projects. We honuored the progress made and reaffirmed our commitment to protecting endangered species.
Engaging Communities and Corporates
Throughout the week, TEF organised school visits, fireside chats, and expert talks across Hong Kong, engaging students, corporate partners, and the wider community. These events highlighted the intersection of conservation, community, and sustainability, and encouraged participants to take actionable steps to protect elephants, rhinos, and other wildlife.
A standout moment of the week was the Asia-Pacific premiere of the documentary “Rhino Man”, held in collaboration with the Royal Geographical Society at the Ladies’ Recreation Club. This powerful film showcased the heroic work of rangers in Africa who risk their lives daily to combat poaching. A screening was also organised in collaboration with Cathay Pacific for their employees at Cathay City, inspiring greater awareness and support for conservation efforts.
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOCAL MEDIA
The Elephant Foundation actively collaborates with local media to create awareness and engage in impactful discussions surrounding the critical issue of the illegal wildlife trade in Hong Kong. In a thought-provoking radio broadcast, in partnership with RTHK Radio 3, we delved into the underlying reasons behind the prevalence of this illicit trade. Guests included Daniel Ole Sambu from Kenya's Big Life Foundation, renowned for his vast knowledge and experience in wildlife conservation.