Rewilding captive elephants is a conservation initiative continually gaining global awareness and importance, providing unique and engaging communication opportunities through documentaries, monitoring field updates, various media opportunities, and collaborations with the scientific community and scientific publications. We are confident this will attract media attention, collaborators, and funders and shift financial inputs from the captive industry towards conserving elephants in their natural habitat. Our guiding principle will be to develop an environmentally sustainable, wildlife-friendly revenue generation model to support the rewilding efforts and benefit adjacent communities.
Revenue-generating Activities
Field Station and Research/Volunteer Groups
We will establish a field station on the reserve, which will serve as a hub for hosting research and volunteer groups. These groups will contribute to developing the reserve and collecting baseline data, providing valuable insights into the ecosystem. The fees collected from these activities will generate revenue, helping to fund ongoing conservation efforts and the maintenance of the reserve. These programs will include immersive educational experiences, allowing guests to observe and learn about elephants and rewilding from a respectful distance. We will also host veterinary, biology, and conservation students, providing hands-on training and education in a real-world setting.
Property Rentals
During the reserve’s development phase, we will rent self-catered properties on-site through platforms like Airbnb and other booking services. This approach will provide a steady revenue stream, allowing us to reinvest in infrastructure and conservation projects.
High-donor Program
The High Donor program is designed to engage key contributors in creating the Rewilding Reserve. This initiative includes exclusive presentations, brainstorming sessions, and personalised discussions, allowing high donors to actively participate in shaping the reserve’s future. Through this program, we aim to cultivate meaningful relationships with funders, ensuring their involvement from the start. The contributions from these high donors will provide substantial financial support, essential for the reserve’s development and long-term sustainability.
Grants & Fundraising
We will submit grant proposals to organisations such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the International Elephant Foundation, the World Wildlife Fund, World Animal Protection, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Furthermore, we will organise galas, auctions, charitable giving events, and dinners to raise funds for the reserve. These events will allow donors to connect with our mission and contribute to the cause. Once the elephants have been identified, we will initiate a targeted fundraising campaign to garner financial support for their transition back into the wild, which will appeal to a large audience.
Exclusive Ecotourism Experience
We will launch an exclusive ecotourism experience, offering high-end wildlife safaris with the services of a private chef and ranger. This bespoke experience will include a unique, personal introduction to the rewilding of elephants, providing an inspiring and educational journey that cannot be replicated elsewhere. The revenue generated from these luxury safaris will support our conservation initiatives while offering guests an unforgettable experience. We will establish strategic alliances with South African lodge management companies specialising in immersive luxury ecotourism and conservation. These partnerships will ensure that experienced professionals manage the lodge, allowing us to reach a broader audience and attract visitors passionate about conservation and sustainable travel. By collaborating with these experts, we can focus our time and expertise on conservation efforts while providing high-quality, eco-friendly experiences for our guests.
The purpose of our ecotourism experiences is not commercial but rather to support conservation efforts and cover our operational costs. These activities will be carefully managed and kept to a minimum to avoid causing stress to the reintroduced elephants.
Virtual Safaris & Social Media Video Blogs
We will host virtual safaris and create video blogs from the field to reach a global audience. These digital experiences will allow people worldwide to engage with our work and support our mission. Fundraising campaigns such as elephant sponsorships will offer individuals the chance to support specific aspects of our work, including the rewilding of elephants. By offering virtual access to the reserve, we can generate revenue while minimizing the environmental impact of tourism.
By leveraging these diverse revenue streams, we aim to establish a sustainable financial model that supports the Rewilding Reserve’s objectives and ensures the protection and restoration of the local ecosystem. These activities will allow supporters to follow the elephants’ journey from captivity to the wild, creating a unique and meaningful connection with our conservation efforts.
Rewilding Elephants 