Elephants Online?

Teleconferencing had become one of the world’s most
valuable tools for business globally. At the touch of
a button individuals from the corporate world can be
chatting away as if they were merely in an office down
the hall. But there is more use to this technology
than meets the eye.

One of the most innovative uses for this kind of
teleconferencing is being utilized by several
institutions across the US.

Colleges and learning centers in Tennessee have set up
teleconferencing facilities linked to an animal
sanctuary catering for the needs of Asian elephants.

One day a week students from several colleges, can
‘tune-in’ to the sanctuaries which can be anywhere in
the world!

Cameras and transmitters are already in situ and the
student can study the elephant in its natural habitat
without fear of disturbing the animal. Students from
different schools can then join in discussion groups
to enable them to expand on what they have witnessed
first hand.

Tutors are on hand to educate and guide the students
through the meetings and answer any questions they may
have - one tutor covering several schools at once.

Indeed, teleconferencing in this instance, has become
a hugely successful way to teach conservation and
ecology to the younger generation.

Who would have thought that the necessity for a fast
and cheap method of bringing business people together
at a moments notice would also, in turn, be used to
educate and excite our children about the wonders of
the natural world?