On World Wildlife Day, the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation (EPIF) unveiled its inaugural 2026 cohort of Youth Ambassadors, marking a significant step in empowering young leaders to champion elephant conservation across the globe.
The new cohort comprises 16 exceptional young conservation advocates drawn from a diverse and globally connected network. The group includes nine ambassadors from Kenya, four from Nigeria, one from Zimbabwe, one from The Gambia, and one from Switzerland.
The Foundation announced that appointments to the Youth Ambassador programme will now be made annually on World Wildlife Day.
Among the new ambassadors is Tadiwanashe Mupunga from Zimbabwe, who expressed a strong interest in leveraging digital tools to raise awareness about elephant protection. From Kenya, Sarafina Sironka said she is determined to drive lasting change for wildlife and the communities that depend on healthy ecosystems.
The Foundation’s Chair of Trustees, Sharon Ikeazor, emphasized the urgency of youth involvement:
“At a time when elephants continue to face significant threats from illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict, meaningful youth participation in conservation has never been more important.”
The Foundation’s CEO, John E Scanlon, AO, highlighted the transformative potential of youth-led advocacy:
“Through their creativity, digital innovation, and peer-to-peer engagement, our Youth Ambassadors can play a critical role in shaping attitudes, influencing behaviour, and driving long-term change for wildlife and the environment.”
The EPIF Youth Ambassadors will advocate for elephant protection within their schools, universities, and communities, participate in EPI awareness campaigns, including digital storytelling, videos, and films and mobilise peers to support or lead conservation initiatives at local, national, and global levels
Although voluntary, the programme provides meaningful leadership opportunities. Ambassadors will receive orientation on elephant conservation and advocacy, gain access to campaign materials and toolkits, collaborate across regions, and receive recognition for their contributions and impact.
The Foundation’s youth engagement efforts began in 2024 with Rachel Cao and Lareina Li, both studying in Beijing, China, who served as the first EPI Foundation Youth Ambassadors.
They successfully raised awareness among their peers and helped mobilise funds in support of elephant conservation initiatives.
Through this initiative, the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to amplifying young voices and building a global movement dedicated to safeguarding elephants and the ecosystems they inhabit.
As elephant populations continue to face mounting pressures, EPIF says empowering the next generation may be one of the most powerful tools in ensuring a sustainable future for wildlife.
