The creative Team was back in Amsterdam. We used the opportunity to pose with our "Burn The Ivory I Save the Elephant bracelet". This picture will be added to the growing gallery of elephant ambassadors of the Burn the Ivory initiative. They are trying to bring global awareness to the elephant poaching crisis. The destruction of confiscated ivory stockpiles worldwide would ensure that illegal...
While making Tata&Squack - Mission Elephant, we realized that chances are small that wild elephants will be part of our children’s future. One elephant is killed every 15 minutes. At this rate none will be roaming wild in 2025. The killing has to STOP - we have to ACT - you can HELP! Make a difference, be an elephant ambassador. There are a lot of great organizations that work with elephants. To...
Jong Nederland vindt Freek Vonk dé avonturier van Nederland. Dit werd deze week In de “Wereld draait door” bekend gemaakt en wij kunnen ons helemaal in deze uitslag vinden. “Freek Vonk is bioloog en gespecialiseerd in slangen en kan als geen ander zijn vak spannend uitleggen aan een groot publiek, tegelijkertijd is hij een zeer gewaardeerd wetenschapper. Hij publiceert in wetenschappelijke...
While researching our new book "Mission Elephant" we met the Royals, an Elephant Family, in Samburu National Park in Kenya. We decided that the name of our main character would be Harry. Therefor it was fun to meet a lifelike wax figure of the real Prince Harry when I visited London with my daughter during the summer holidays. Prince Harry of Wales is an extremely sincere, witty, big hearted,...
We just returned from a great trip to Namibia. Our first stop was Desert Rhino Camp in Damaraland, where they have the largest free-ranging population of black rhino in Africa. The rhinos are well protected due to a unique conservation approach where the local community plays an important role, together with Save the Rhino Trust and the government. We hope that this model will be able to...
Walking through the African landscape during our last safari, we come across a colorful group of Masai with their cattle. However picturesque this scene is, it also demonstrates the balancing act between wildlife conservation and cattle grazing. Traditionally cattle is very important to the Masai. Apart from supplying milk and meat, the animals reflect their wealth and status in the community....
A year ago, we decided to sponsor some of the elephants in the Elephant Orphanage of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. During our last safari to Kenya, we visited the Nursery in the Nairobi National Park. It was endearing to see the elephants run towards their "home" after a long day in the bush. Before bed the little ones get a bottle of milk and some freshly cut leaves. The trained keepers...
Last fall we visited Samburu National Reserve in Kenya to research the new Tata&Squack elephant adventure. We were in awe of the majestic animals. Touched by the caring they display for each other. Amazed by the stories how elephants grieve their dead and yet have the courage to turn the page and get on with life. There are lots of things they still can teach us humans. Therefore I am sad to...
