African Wildlife Foundation Response to GoDaddy CEO Bob Parsons Elephant Hunting Video

WASHINGTON -- African Wildlife Foundation has learned of the controversial video released by Bob Parsons, CEO of GoDaddy, in which he is shown hunting what he describes as problem elephants. While Parsons has gone on record regarding his motives, African Wildlife Foundation believes this is an unfortunate and distasteful portrayal of the real dilemmas that face both the impoverished farmers depicted and elephant populations increasingly impacted by ever shrinking habitat.

The solution to these problems do not lie in hunts like that depicted in the video. African Wildlife Foundation believes strongly in investing in improved conservation management of Africa's parks, reserves, and other conservation areas in order to provide sufficient safe habitat for elephants and other wildlife. We also believe in simultaneous investment to strengthen agriculture, security, and standards of living in areas of human settlements around parks and reserves. We urge Mr. Parsons and viewers to reject the undertone of this video and invest in solutions that allow wildlife and people to peacefully co-exist.

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About African Wildlife Foundation

Founded in 1961, the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is a leading conservation organization focused solely on the African continent. AWF's programs and conservation strategies are based on sound science and designed to protect both the wild lands and wildlife of Africa and ensure a more sustainable future for Africa's people. Since its inception AWF has protected endangered species and land, promoted partnerships with the private sector for conservation tourism to benefit local African communities as a means to improve livelihoods, and trained hundreds of African nationals in conservation -- all to ensure the survival of Africa's unparalleled wildlife heritage. AWF is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Kenya and registered as a 501(c)(3) in the United States. Visit www.awf.org.

For additional information please contact:

John Butler

Director of Marketing

202-939-3333

jbutler@awf.org