From CPA to Elephant Rescue: Kathryn Wooters

When Kathryn Wooters, resident of Quechee since 2005, was contemplating retirement from her CPA practice in Boston, she began tire-kicking projects to take up some of her newfound spare time. With experience in international operations in diverse industries, it made sense to look at some international philanthropic foundations. She longed to contribute to something that would make a difference in the world.

A baby elephant from the Game Rangers effort

Conveniently, on International Women’s Day, female executives from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) met in an in-person conference to discuss their projects, goals, and needs. Kathryn was inspired by what she heard, and in 2022, she took a dive down the rabbit hole of elephant rescue in Africa. Elephants have been at the mercy of the climate, poachers, and habitat encroachment from development, and in some places could soon become endangered species.

On a trip to Malawi, half a world away from Quechee, Kathryn observed firsthand the translocation of an elephant herd that required a high level of expertise, and was not without its dangers. Kathryn explained, “The translocation efforts [were] highly choreographed. A helicopter herds elephants to an open area, then darts them with tranquilizers. Mothers first, so they do not fall on their babies and crush them. Watching the final matriarch protecting the babies is heartbreaking.” Once the elephants are tranquilized, the team moves in to prepare them for transport. They were then safely trucked eight hours to their new home in a north Malawi park. “As observers,” she continued, “It was joyful to see the babies reunited with their mothers and caretakers.”

Working with elephants at the IFAW sanctuary

In 2023, Kathryn volunteered for a project with Game Rangers, an international organization that protects wildlife and educates the populations who are encroaching on wildlife habitat. She participated at three rescue locations in Zambia. There she got into the nitty gritty of elephant care, cleaning then preparing stalls for new occupants, and later bottle-feeding an orphaned baby elephant.

Additionally, Kathryn closely observed two successful and empowering projects created and led by women. She was struck by the stark contrast between the freedoms enjoyed by women in the U.S. versus those not available to women in Zambia. Kathryn shared, “Women have no rights in Zambia. The most basics in life that Americans take for granted are beyond the Zambian women’s wildest expectations, save water wells.” She was particularly inspired by the strength and resilience of the Zambian women.

Kathryn feeds a baby elephant at the IFAW sanctuary.

While researching other elephant volunteer programs, Kathryn discovered an organization called Empowers Africa, which supports programs in the areas of human empowerment, wildlife protection, and land conservation. She was able to attend its annual event in Manhattan last May, along with colleague, and fellow Quechee and Boston resident, Caroline DeStefano. The meeting featured a short documentary film produced by Empowers Africa’s director of documentary development and partnerships, Martha McGuinness, called R.E.S.C.U.E., (bit.ly/4d9bMRY) about the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, an elephant rescue located at Namunyak Community Conservancy in the Samburu region of northern Kenya. Reteti Elephant Sanctuary was established in 2016 by Katie Rowe, in conjunction with the Sarara Foundation. Katie currently manages the facility, and conveniently was in attendance at the Empowers Africa meeting.

Kathryn was so moved by the information presented that Reteti Elephant Sanctuary became her focus. She spoke at length with Katie Rowe, and was introduced to Sarara Foundation philanthropy and social impact advisor, Mike Smiles, who lives in Burlington. Kathryn and Mike’s conversations led to the next logical step – an evening presentation in Quechee.

Kathryn and her team are currently planning an evening presentation at Quechee Club on October 13 to introduce Reteti Elephant Rescue to the Quechee community. The presentation will include a screening of the film, Shaba, which is currently playing at the American Museum of Natural History exhibit, Discover the Secret World of Elephants. Janet Wu, award winning Boston journalist, will moderate the event.

Elephant translocation in Malawi