The Elephant Project Expands to Protect Big Cats, Introduces Oba

The Elephant Project

Mon, December 6, 2021, 10:00 AM·3 min read

100% of Net Proceeds From The Elephant Project’s Charitable Gift Line Goes Directly to Wildlife Rescue Organizations

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Dec. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Elephant Project, a California-based organization that’s helped save over 300 elephants worldwide and educated children about the threats to these majestic creatures, is introducing a new limited edition addition to its charitable gift lineup this Holiday Season: Oba, an 8-inch stuffed lion doll made out of soft tan fabric and a white jacket.

Founded in 2017 by Kristina McKean, The Elephant Project sells animal-themed merchandise for a good cause - donating 100% of its net proceeds to helping save animals worldwide and educating children and their parents about the threats these creatures face. With the help of its partners, which include Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and Elephant Nature Park, The Elephant Project has helped rescue and protect over 300 elephants and educated thousands of children and parents across the globe about the dangers these animals face.

“Oba, whose name translates to ‘Ruler’ in in the Yoruba and Bini languages of West Africa, represents the next step in The Elephant Project’s mission,” said Kristina McKean, The Elephant Project’s founder. “Like the elephants that inspired me to begin The Elephant Project, big cats face a worldwide crisis due to habitat loss, poaching and the illegal wildlife entertainment trade. This global problem requires a collective solution, and I hope that Oba will help raise funds and educate the public about the existential threats these big cats face.”

In addition to environmental threats ranging from deforestation to climate change, big cats are also subject to poaching and the illegal wildlife trade - especially for pelts or captive entertainment purposes. One simple thing we can all do to help address this issue, Ms. McKean added, is avoid taking photos with big cats in captivity who are often drugged to make them docile – a practice that has become more scrutinized in the United States since the release of Netflix’s hit show “Tiger King.”

Every dollar from Oba’s sales will go to organizations around the world that protect and rescue big cats from the dangers of trophy hunting and loss of wildlife habitat, including Animal Defenders International.

The Elephant Project began in 2001 when Ms. McKean first witnessed the casual abuse of a baby elephant while on her honeymoon in Thailand. She was determined to make a difference and to educate the next generation about the importance of protecting elephants. She drew on her past expertise in product marketing to create a variety of animal-themed merchandise including Oba and two plush elephant toys, named Kiki and Tembo (Swahili for “new life” and “elephant” respectively), and every dollar made from these sales to organizations that fight poaching and provide care to injured, abused and abandoned animals.

Oba, Kiki and Tembo also help educate children and their parents about the importance of protecting elephants and big cats from environmental factors, abandonment, abuse and the brutal training methods used to prepare them for circuses and other “entertainment” purposes.

To purchase Oba, Kiki and Tembo today, click here. To donate directly, click here.

About The Elephant Project
Founded in 2017 by Kristina McKean, The Elephant Project is a California-based organization that donates 100% of its net proceeds to helping save elephants worldwide and educating children and their parents about the threats to these majestic creatures. Through its partners, which include Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Elephant Nature Park, The Elephant Project has helped rescue and protect over 300 elephants.

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Got stuffed-animal-adoring tots on your list? Check out sweet Kiki and Tembo ($39 each) from the Elephant Project. Not only does the founder give 100 percent of net proceeds to respected agencies that care for orphaned, abused, and injured elephants, but also each gift comes with a little poem, plus info about the plight of elephants. The idea is to benefit the beloved species while teaching children how to act as voices for the voiceless.

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Let the holiday season be a teaching moment for littles ones, and a time for giving with a gift of Kiki or Tembo from The Elephant Project. A passion project launched by product developer Kristina McKean, these stuffed animals raise funds for elephants while also fostering awareness of their mistreatment in various parts of the world. All net proceeds go to agencies with well-established programs for the care of orphaned, abused and injured elephants.

The Elephant Project to Host COVID-Safe Digital Walk on World Elephant Day, August 12

Organization Encouraging People to Take a One Mile Walk, Wherever They Are, to Raise Funds and Awareness About Threats to Elephants

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. and LOS ANGELES, Aug. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Elephant Project, a California-based organization that’s helped save over 300 elephants worldwide and educated children about the threats to these majestic creatures, will sponsor #ElephantProjectWalk, a COVID-safe, digital event on World Elephant Day, August 12, to raise funds and increase awareness about the plight of elephants.

In partnership with the social impact platform and app Cluster, The Elephant Project is encouraging people to donate, share their participation on social media and walk or run one mile with family and friends, wherever they are, on the 10th Annual World Elephant Day, a day dedicated to helping conserve and protect elephants. All funds from #ElephantProjectWalk will be donated to Trunks Up, a nonprofit organization helping critically endangered Asian elephants.

In advance of World Elephant Day, The Elephant Project and Cluster also helped launch an education campaign and video, entitled “Don’t F***ing Ride Elephants,” to promote teen awareness about elephant abuse.

“In the name of entertainment, elephants around the world are subjected to beatings, starvation and the use of bull hooks and crush boxes to break their spirits,” said Kristina McKean, The Elephant Project’s founder. “By donating to their protection and walking in solidarity with the elephants on World Elephant Day, we can demonstrate our determination to end this torture.”

McKean first witnessed this abuse during a trip to Thailand and returned to the U.S. determined to help save elephants. The Santa Barbara native founded The Elephant Project in 2017 and developed two plush elephant toys, named Kiki and Tembo (Swahili for “new life” and “elephant”). She donates 100% of net proceeds from their sale to organizations that fight poaching and provide care to injured, abused and abandoned elephants. Kiki and Tembo also come with educational materials that inform children and their parents about the importance of protecting elephants.

To purchase Kiki and Tembo, click here. To donate directly, click here.

To participate in #ElephantProjectWalk:

  • Register at https://clusterforchange.com/ or download the Cluster Social Impact Platform to sign up.

  • Walk in your community or join in-person events in Los Angeles’ Runyon Canyon or Santa Barbara.

  • Win prizes, including an elephant sponsored in the winner’s name, Trunks Up merchandise and Kiki and Tembo toys, by registering the largest team.

  • Photos of McKean, Kiki, Tembo and educational materials available here.

About The Elephant Project
Founded in 2017 by Kristina McKean, The Elephant Project is a California-based organization that donates 100% of its net proceeds to helping save elephants worldwide and educating children and their parents about the threats to these majestic creatures. Through its partners, which include the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Elephant Nature Park, The Elephant Project has helped rescue and protect over 300 elephants.

Media Contact:

Ryan Walker
310-529-3214
ryan@mecoy.net

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f64d6bf0-839d-4ece-897e-63b5b6730c25

Kristina McKean, Kiki and TemboPictured Here: Kristina McKean With Kiki and Tembo plush toys

Kristina McKean, Kiki and TemboPictured Here: Kristina McKean With Kiki and Tembo plush toys