Positive
Learning
Method
Handling
Methods
Workshops
Well-Being
of Handlers
Elephant
Facts
Training
FAQ's
Why
the
Need for
Elephant-
Friendly
Methods?
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Who
We Are
The people of WEPA are
a mix of different backgrounds, ranging from professionals in elephant
training and animal behaviour science to volunteers with various
skills. Meet some of us on this page.
Another group of crucial
importantance are our partners,
who have had and continue to have a major role in making the
achievements possible.
Dr.
Andrew McLean
Scientific Advisor
Andrew's scientific background is in animal learning, and he is best
known for his decades of work on developing and promoting
science-based, animal-friendly training methods for horses. He is the
director of the
Australian Equine Behaviour Centre and frequently
tours
the world to meet the demand for his advice. During recent years,
Andrew had expanded his activities to similar development with
elephants. Andrew also is the director of the HELP Foundation (Human
Elephant Learning Programs), a recently founded organization that works
in co-operation with WEPA.
Laurie
Pond
Elephant Training Expert
Laurie is widely recognized as a skilled animal-friendly trainer and
handler with two decades of practical experience with elephants. In the
photo, Laurie (on the left) is training an elephant for veterinary care
in Thailand, where he has previously worked with local mahouts for two
and a half years. He is currently employed as a Programme Development
Manager at Australia Zoo,
which kindly donates to WEPA the time Laurie spends in our field
activities. Together with Andrew, Laurie has also participated in
developing the Positive Learning Method.
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Helena
Telkänranta
Director, President of the Board
Helena's professional background is that of an award-winning science
journalist specializing in animal behaviour and nature conservation,
but she has also been involved in various animal protection and nature
conservation NGO’s for the most part of her life. One of her special
interests is designing win-win situations, on which basis she started
creating WEPA in 2005.
Marc
Pierard
Vice President of the Board
In addition to a long career in the Flemish Ministry of Environment in
Belgium, Marc has been involved as a biologist in several research
projects, including research on African elephants in the wild. At WEPA,
Marc led the field teams in Nepal in 2007 and 2009, and continues to
participate in planning. Besides elephants, Marc is also involved in
science-based, animal-friendly horse training.
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Ranjana
Pajiyar
Field Coordinator and Translator
Ranjana has a M.Sc. in environmental management, but he also has strong
family ties to the elephant tradition in Nepal. Her
late grandfather was the head of the Elephant Breeding Centre of
Khorsor at Chitwan, the largest elephant stable in Nepal. Her ethnic
group, the Tharu, is the one from which most elephant handlers in Nepal
come from.
Ajit Karna
Field Assistant and Translator
Ajit is a veterinarian with special interests in wildlife and animal
welfare. In addition to his involvement in WEPA, Ajit has
worked in a veterinary clinic and participated in several voluntary
activities in the fields of wildlife conservation and domestic animal
welfare in Nepal. At the moment, Ajit is continuing his studies in Australia,
from where he will return to Nepal in early 2012.
...and others
Several other people also contribute with their skills to the common
aim. Development co-operation consultant
Kristiina Mikkola provides excellent advice ased on her long
professional experience in Nepal. and scientific consultant Dr. Andrew
McLean. Previous contributions have included, among others,
those of animal trainers Tuire
Kaimio and Glenn Sullivan, photographer Minna Tallberg and videographer
Nicki Stuart.
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