Did You Know…
 

As of 2018, there are still more African elephants being killed for ivory than are being born? In honor of World Elephant Day this Sunday, August 12th, we’re sharing our top seven facts about elephants to help prevent the extinction of these beautiful mammals.

1. The African elephant weighs 22, 000 pounds
   In one day, an adult elephant can consume up to 300 pounds of food. As the largest land animals, elephants roam great distances for large quantities of food to sustain their massive bodies.
2. An elephant’s trunk has more than 40, 000 different muscles
   An elephant’s trunk is like a long nose that they use for smelling, drinking, breathing, trumpeting and for grabbing things.
3. After a death, elephant family members show signs of grief
   Research on elephants who experience a death within their family have shown that they have a respect for their dead. Years later, elephants have been observed re-visiting the site where one of their herd or family has died 
4. Elephant’s use their very large ears to radiate excess heat away from their body
5. Elephants don’t sweat so they flap their large ears back and forth to create a light breeze that can speed up the cooling process.
    

   

    

6. Elephants can live to be 70 years old
   Many elephants aren’t living this long because of the illegal ivory trade that has elephants poached for their tusks
7. Elephants purr like cats to communicate
   Elephants communicate in a variety of ways, but one of the most interesting ways they communicate is by producing rumbles so low that humans can’t hear them. 
    

   

    
8. Elephants are social creatures
   Elephants are known to protect and comfort each other, “babysit” calves and help each other when one needs assistance moving. They are also known to sometimes “hug” each other by wrapping their trunks together.

Christo Brand – Nelson Mandela’s Former Prison Guard and Friend

With 2018 marking a milestone year, the centenary of Nelson Mandela, African Travel, Inc. continues to celebrate his legacy by working to uplift local communities and partnering with organizations and people who are also committed to supporting his four pillars of service –

• Education and literacy – because we need to give the youth “a fighting chance”.
• Food security – because many children go to school simply for the meal they receive there and many families continue to go to bed without food.
• Shelter – an essential intervention in our society.
• Volunteerism – because sometimes it is more about giving time, than money.

We are thrilled to announce that we will have Christo Brand, Nelson Mandela’s ex-prison guard at Robben Island and friend, speak at a few trade events in August. Brand first met Mandela in 1978 when he was 18. In his book, Mandela: My Prisoner, My Friend, Brand recounts the 12 years he spent with Mandela at Robben Island and how he went from being his prison guard to his confidant and accomplice. Through Brand, we’re able to learn about a different side about one of the world’s greatest leaders and the friendship that evolved during their time on Robben Island. We are so honored to have Christo Brand speak at some of our trade events later this year as we continue to celebrate Mandela during his centenary year.

July 18, 2018 is a milestone occasion marking Nelson Mandela’s centenary. African Travel, Inc. is deeply committed to uplifting local communities through our not-for-profit partner, the TreadRight Foundation and in honor of Nelson Mandela’s centenary, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to celebrate his legacy and also support his four pillars of service –

• Education and literacy – because we need to give the youth “a fighting chance”.
• Food security – because many children go to school simply for the meal they receive there and many families continue to go to bed without food.
• Shelter – an essential intervention in our society.
• Volunteerism – because sometimes it is more about giving time, than money.

Throughout the month of June, staff from African Travel, Inc. volunteered with Los Angeles based Baby2Baby, a non-profit that provides low-income children ages 0-12 years with diapers, clothing and all the basic necessities that every child deserves. This year, Baby2Baby is set to serve 180,000 children in Los Angeles. In addition to volunteering, African Travel has also helped purchase school uniforms so that children can continue their education.  

Nelson Mandela, who in addition to being an anti-apartheid revolutionary and political leader, was a philanthropist with an abiding love for children. Through his leadership, inspiration and unwavering determination to eliminate social injustices, African Travel will continue to work with project partners who we believe are “leading and helping change the world for the better.”