March 06, 2018Stories

Our Elephant Soul Sisters

This week, we celebrate two of our favorite events: International Women’s Day (March 8 th ) and the Enormous Elephant Run (March 10 th ). As a female-founded company, we are especially passionate about the empowerment of women; as impassioned conservationists, we admire nature and work to fiercely defend it in all forms. To commemorate the intersection of these two momentous celebrations, we dedicate today’s post to our elephant soul sisters, the matriarchs who lead and protect.

Last year, we highlighted the life-saving memories of elephant matriarchs whose generational knowledge ensures the herd has constant access to food, water, and protection. While male elephants go off on their own after puberty, females form an all-female herd with as few as 8 or as many as 100 elephants. Only the strongest, wisest female can become the herd’s matriarch. She must be courageous in the face of danger, navigate complex social dynamics, and support the youngest elephants through puberty.

Each female in a herd is integral to its success. Each elephant uses complex trumpeting to warn of danger, coordinate migration, and attract mates. When a member of the herd gives birth, her sisters surround her and her newborn calf. The females form a protective barrier against attackers and quickly kick sand all over the calf to protect its new skin from the sun.

From that point forward, the raising of the young is a family affair as each member does its part to support the calf’s development. Elephants have been known to show empathy toward each other, giving hugs and making sympathetic clicking sounds to comfort distressed herd members. The bond between herd members runs so deep that they are known to grieve, bury, and even cry for their deceased loved ones.

It’s clear that we can learn a thing or two about girl power from our elephant soul sisters, a species endangered despite its beauty and strength. These amazing creatures are the epitome of a matriarchal society that thrives thanks to the camaraderie of its members.

Join us this year as we combine two of our greatest passions: the empowerment of women and the conservation efforts of one of the most majestic creatures on earth. Purchase a print from our David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust collection or sign up as a participant in the Los Angeles Enormous Elephant Run, which also gives back to DSWT. As women, we’re proud to come together this week to show support for each other and our beautiful and vulnerable elephant sisters.