I think I would enjoy being an elephant guardian.
Wondering how our Keepers became elephant guardians?
Itโs not anything one would find on a resume. While many of our Keepers have shambas or raise livestock back home, none have worked professionally with elephants before. Over the years, we've found it best to include the orphans in our recruitment process: they are quick to identify the โX factorโ that makes an excellent Keeper, which is why we ultimately put recruitment in their capable hands. New candidates join the orphan herd on a trial basis, and if they are embraced by the elephants, they are hired as a full-time Keeper. Keeper Jackson passed the โinterviewโ years ago, and has been a vital part of our team since.
Our logic is that each person, with their diverse background, opens a whole new dimension to the role. This strategy has the added bonus of fostering conservation awareness across the country. Keepers become vital ambassadors within their own communities. Over the years, many orphans have been saved by ordinary people who developed empathy for elephants through a Keeper who is a father, uncle, friend, or neighbour.