Kate Woolf spoke with me via email about her planned Lotus Elephant Sanctuary in Laos. Kate’s background is a mix of legal, financial and animal welfare. And she needs to draw on all of them, because it’s not easy to set up an elephant sanctuary!

She was at a Buddhist monastery when she had the epiphany that opening this sanctuary was something she had to do. She plans to provide elephants with a safe place to live, complete with medical care. Eventually Kate would like to investigate and prosecute international crimes against wildlife. In the meantime, she’s also involved with animal rights causes in the US and other countries.

Kate Woolf with one of the elephants she loves

Teresa Bergen:  I know you are a serious admirer of and advocate for all sorts of animals. What draws you to elephants in particular?

Kate Woolf:  Elephants are everything I want to be in life: wise and gentle, graceful and kind. They live in tight-knit matriarchal family groups and are amazingly loyal and supportive of each other throughout life. They are my people and I admire them tremendously.

If you’re in Portland, stop by the Lotus Elephant Sanctuary booth at Portland VegFest September 22 and 23, 2012. Kate will not be there, but will have volunteers staffing her booth. Including me! Come by and say hello.