Position Statement →

The strong opinions that elephants evoke can either be useful, driving one to greater efforts to save the species, or they can be counter-productive.  If we allow ourselves to be blinded by our convictions, we may at best fail to see beneficial aspects of other positions and, at worst, contribute to the demise of the creatures we seek to save. 

Some obvious areas of controversy include:

• ivory sales
• culling of elephants
• training methods
• captive elephants in zoos/circuses/forestry
• resolving human-elephant conflict

These are complex issues. The purpose of this website is not to debate these issues. It is primarily to share and communicate information (especially healthcare). However, transparency and discussion of controversial topics could benefit both elephants and those who care about them. Towards that end, we offer Our Protocols, Manuals, and Proceedings section for submission of appropriate material and our Bulletin Board for postings. We welcome materials from diverse viewpoints.

Much of the information on this site will be peer-reviewed. But, that is not a pre-requisite for inclusion here. Our aim is to make available as much information as possible. Where possible, we will provide opposing views on controversial issues (for example see ivory). It is up to the reader to choose that information which is pertinent to his or her situation.
The strong opinions that elephants evoke can either be useful, driving one to greater efforts to save the species, or they can be counter-productive. If we allow ourselves to be blinded by our convictions, we may at best fail to see beneficial aspects of other positions and, at worst, contribute to the demise of the creatures we seek to save.