would be very difficult for Americans to even understand.” Because of this extreme situation many find themselves in, some locals are desperate for money and take jobs poaching. “These crime bosses and organized crime syndicates literally make millions off of ivory trade, buy weapons, hire the people in extreme poverty, and the guy on the ground poaching feels he has to because he has no other choice. The biggest perpetrators are above the law,” Kristin notes. These top-level “crime bosses” are terrorists, and many are involved in weapons trade and other illegal activities that keep many American citizens paranoid. Kristin continued to visit the area, and on one visit, stumbled across a situation that would change her life forever. Baby Chaimu was an orphaned elephant whose mother was slaughtered for her tusks. Kristin got the orphaned calf to The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an elephant and rhino rescue and rehabilitation program. The operation is run by Daphne Sheldrick in honor of the memory of her late husband, famous naturalist and founding Warden of Tsavo East National Park, Dr. David Sheldrick. Kristin immediately bonded with Daphne and knew she was called to help. Since Chaimu, Kristin has assisted in rescuing many elephants, both orphaned and injured. She has even aided in reintroducing an orphan into the wild: an elephant named Kora who had taken three separate poison arrow shots, one being to her forehead. According to Kristin, the grateful rescued elephants of the DSWT are capable of a range of emotion and connectivity that surpasses human emotion: “When you look at them in their eyes, it’s like they are reading your soul.” Elephants share the same emotions and cognitive behavior as humans. They grieve for their lost loved ones; they feel fear, joy and empathy and are highly praised for their intelligence. Kristin is passionate enough about DSWT that she had contemplated leaving Hollywood completely in order to work for the cause; however, her work in L.A. has afforded her and DSWT a true Hollywood opportunity; Kristin produced a movie called Gardeners of Eden, and it offers beautiful and haunting insight into the tragic reality of wild elephants. The film has seen
premieres in several major cities and flattering critical acclaim. Kristin is proud of her work and her ability to move into production of something vastly different than what she had previously done. “Well I did have someone who was probably expecting me to look like my previous roles tell me ‘wow, you looked really terrible in the film!’ If that is your takeaway, your priorities are wrong.” Kristin Davis is bringing her film Gardeners of Eden to Memphis on April 16th to the Malco Paradiso. In addition to getting to walk a red carpet and meet Kristin Davis, attendees have an opportunity to see what elephant poaching and the importance of conservation means to them. Elephants are a keystone species in Earth’s ecosystem, and other plants and animals rely on them for survival. “How are we going to explain to our children why there are no elephants? We have the ability to stop this from happening. Don’t buy any ivory. If you are buying ivory, you have blood on your hands,” exclaims Kristin. You can help Kristin Davis and the DSWT in their battle for the elephants by purchasing tickets for the screening of her movie on memphisredcarpet.eventbrite.com. VIP tickets and regular seating are still available. Because the footprint and impact of the elephant reaches Memphis, and because the film screening has enabled the city to do something for them, 4Memphis recognizes The Davis Sheldrick Wildlife Trust as our recipient of the Memphis Love Challenge. Please support them by purchasing tickets and attending their film. April 2015 / 35