Get ready to be impressed by the dedication and creativity of one woman’s mission to support wildlife conservation! Meet Kristina McKean, the founder of The Elephant Project, a line of plush stuffed elephants that not only bring joy and comfort to homes, but also make a tangible difference for real-world elephants through the donation of 100% of net proceeds to aligned non-profit organizations. In this interview, we learn about Kristina’s life-long passion for animal protection and how she’s using her luxe stuffed elephants to make a lasting impact.
Kristina McKean: A Visionary in Wildlife Conservation
Kristina McKean, the founder and owner of The Elephant Project, is a true champion for the cause of wildlife conservation. Her journey to make a difference for these majestic creatures began on her honeymoon trip to Thailand, where she was first made aware of the atrocities behind elephant tourism and wildlife captivity.
I founded the company five years ago, but its initial spark came to me about 18 years prior to
that while I was celebrating my honeymoon with my husband in Thailand. Near the beginning of our trip,I saw a baby elephant begging on the street (“begging elephants” are elephants that have been taken and held captive by beggars. They are typically emaciated, severely malnourished, and made to walk long hours throughout Thailand’s towns — paraded around to perform tricks in an effort to fetch money). When I saw the enslaved baby elephant looking helpless, restrained, and in despair, it completely broke my heart and, frankly, kind of ruined our trip. I couldn’t get that image out of my mind, and when we finally returned home, those memories continued to torment me. I thought, ‘How could this be? How could humans be so cruel to these beautiful creatures?’ Of course, what I didn’t realize at the time was how few humans, at least in America, are actually aware of the harsh realities behind the seemingly innocent activities (like elephant rides or painting exhibits or circus performances) that create the demand for this cruelty. It bothered me so much that from that moment on, all I could think about was how to help end this abhorrent practice.
This experience sparked a lifelong passion in Kristina McKean to help improve the lives of these endangered animals, starting with her local zoo in Santa Barbara, California and reaching as far as the renowned elephant sanctuary she has supported through her philanthropic toy company.
The Elephant Project: Raising Awareness, Educating, and Engaging
To make a lasting impact, McKean launched The Elephant Project and its line of high-end, cuddleable stuffed plush elephants. These plushies not only bring joy and comfort to homes, but also serve as a tangible way to increase awareness, education, and engagement with the cause. McKean’s commitment to wildlife conservation is evident in her choice to donate 100% of the net proceeds from any toy sale to trusted organizations that fight the poaching crisis and provide care to injured, abandoned, orphaned, and abused animals globally.
A Mission-Driven Business Model: Why Keeping All Profits Was Never an Option
The focus of the business was never about profits, but rather to make a positive impact on elephants. The three-part mission was to bring joy to children and families with plush characters modeled after elephants in the wild, raise awareness about the intelligent and ethical nature of endangered animals, and the brutal treatment they endured from poachers and tourists. The business also aimed to support organizations working towards rescuing and caring for captive elephants through sanctuaries, rehabilitation centers, anti-poaching efforts, public education, and veterinary services. The ultimate goal was to make a difference, and that was why 100% of the net profits were donated towards these efforts.
Profit incentives were never the goal for us. We were driven solely by the desire to save the elephants. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to donate 100% of the net proceeds to help make the difference I was called to. That was, and continues to be, the goal.
Partnering for a Cause
The advocacy and activism efforts for the elephant cause had been underway for a long time before the protagonist became aware of it. Fearless activists had already established the necessary ecosystems, environments, and teams to care for the elephants on the ground. Kristina knew that the best way to support the cause was to contribute financial support and increase awareness. One of the primary organizations partnered with was the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya, which supported grown and baby elephants whose mothers had died due to poaching and trophy hunting. They also created a fostering program for rescued elephants, allowing people to receive updates on the health, happiness, and habitat of the elephants they support, at a low cost.
Another partner organization was The Elephant Cooperation, a non-profit dedicated to preserving African elephants and their environment. They raised awareness about the elephant crisis and supported organizations with similar goals. This vision helped them raise millions of dollars, feed over 300 African families, and protect over 66,500 elephants. The Elephant Project supports organizations like The Elephant Cooperation in any way possible.
The Elephant Nature Park in Thailand, founded and led by animal rights icon Lek Chailert, was another organization supported by The Elephant Project. Lek left a comfortable life and the protection of her family to create the park, which now provides a sanctuary to rescued animals from across Thailand. Her work was so inspiring that Kristina recently visited the world-renowned sanctuary with her daughter, where they had the chance to meet Lek, her staff, and the rescued elephants, many of whom The Elephant Project helped save. The visit was a dream come true.
The success of McKean’s ongoing commitment and continuous donating is evident in the hundreds of captive elephants that have been saved worldwide since the launch of The Elephant Project. By directly contributing to helping these animals start new lives in peaceful habitats where they can play, heal, and thrive, McKean and her team have shown that a business model built on philanthropy and a commitment to wildlife conservation can make a real-world impact.
Starting Your Journey: Tips for Young Activists
Kristina suggests that individuals should start small, where they are today, to get involved. Anyone can sign a petition, volunteer their time, or start a movement using technology, social media, and crowd-funding. Those able to, can also donate funds to trusted non-profit organizations making a positive impact. Empathy, kindness, and a service-oriented attitude are important qualities to have in making a difference. There is much turmoil in the world, and if everyone does something small for good, it would be a better place. Younger generations are already making a positive impact and their collective efforts can make a difference in various causes such as animals, the climate, the ocean, human rights, etc. Through The Elephant Project, one unique way of making a difference on a personal cause was found, and given the initiative and leadership qualities of the next generation, more young people will find ways to make a major impact in the world.
A male calf named Lewa was found to be all alone at a young age, most likely having lost his mother to poachers. He was taken to the Voi Reintegration Unit and joined a herd of adult females and other orphaned elephants. With the support of The Elephant Project and other generous donors, Lewa lived with the herd for several years, learning important behaviors from his “big brothers.” At four years old, Lewa and two of his male friends were moved to a new location with plentiful food, water, and other elephants in a lush valley. While Lewa’s two friends struggled to adjust, Lewa, known for his sociable nature, was able to integrate into the park’s wild herds with ease and now lived a happy life.
Kristina McKean and The Elephant Project serve as a shining example of what can be achieved when one puts their money where their mission is. We can all be inspired by their ongoing efforts to make a difference for captive elephants and support their efforts to create a better world for these magnificent creatures.
