Who we are – our motivation and why our association is registered in Spain.
We, Martina and Mathias Schickhoff, and Julia P. Manzau left Germany a few years ago and live in Spain between Valencia and Alicante. So of course we have to register our association in Spain. As we operate worldwide, the national register of the Spanish Ministry of the Interior is responsible for us and we are registered there.
We are already known as HEART4ELEPHANTS on Facebook and Instagram and have also kept this name for our homepage. The new association laws in Spain require a Spanish name that expresses the aim of the association – therefore our Spanish association name is Asociación para el sobrevivier de los elefantes en el mundo (Association for the Survival of Elephants around the World).
Our team in elephant protection
For the love of the grey giants
Martina Schickhoff (Tina)
FounderOf all animals, I love elephants and cats the most. The plight of the street cats here locally (where I live) didn't let me go and we started the private initiative *CumbreCats Control Campaign*. - In order to be able to help my beloved elephants worldwide and especially in Asia, we founded this association. I regularly fly to Thailand to help in various projects as a volunteer and to inquire about new projects (privately funded).
Mathias Schickhoff
Co-FounderEven as a little boy I loved to explore nature and of course I am also a big cat and elephant fan. ------
With my handmade cards for every occasion and individual occasions I try to help the animals. These are welcome to be purchased for a donation. 100% goes to animals.
Julia P. Manzau
Co-FounderFrom childhood on, respect for life was important to me. Man can only be the crowning glory of creation when he takes responsibility. We have to protect our homeland, the earth - at least as well as we can in our imperfection. For me this is not hype, not a current trend, not an ideological goal, but results from the deep awareness that you are part of this universe and should fulfill your place. This includes commitment, love, respect, education, technological development and - very importantly - freedom. And that's exactly what we want to create for the wonderful gray giants.
Marina Klammer
dedicated animal activistMany years ago I was able to experience elephants in Kenya and later in Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka in particular, I came into contact with typical elephant tourism such as horseback riding and elephant orphanages, as well as all kinds of animal suffering. He developed a deep love for elephants in particular and, in the course of this, also researched the terrible background to the lives of elephants in captivity in Asia. I wanted to help actively and meaningfully. After a long search for ethnic projects, I came across the Save Elephant Foundation in 2012. At the Surin Project, which is located in the middle of a region in Isaan, Thailand and was a small light of hope for elephants, I learned all the essentials about elephant conservation. Many visits to Thailand later, I am delighted to see sanctuaries beyond Thailand's borders, such as in Cambodia and now also in Laos, which has been a project close to my heart since 2022 and where every animal life is important.
Oliver Liewald
dedicated animal activistWhen I became aware of the plight of elephants and their
living conditions in Southeast Asia during my first vacation trip to Thailand in 2012 while visiting the Surin Elephant
Festival and some vacation regions, the gentle giants never let go of me.
After a turbulent year in 2018 with serious changes in my private life, I decided to take some time out at
and spend a few weeks in Thailand as a volunteer at
. These experiences made a lasting impression on me and changed my personality
.
Since then, I have been drawn to the projects of the Save
Elephant Foundation (privately funded) at very regular intervals.
Nicole Wolnikowski
dedicated animal activistI had the opportunity to visit and support two projects (Thailand and Laos) of the Save Elephant Foundation for several weeks during my sabbatical. The time has shaped me very much, which is why I want to use my voice for the animals in need in the future.