Meet brew number two: African Elephant XPA.
African Elephant XPA, an extra pale ale, is brewed and dry-hopped exclusively with Southern Star hops from South Africa. Drinkers can expect a crisp, bright taste with tangy berry notes. African Elephant XPA will launch at parties hosted by Zipline Brewing Co. at its North Downtown Omaha Taproom and at the Brewery in West Lincoln on Friday, September 28 and become available in select retail outlets by Saturday, September 29. Unfortunately, African Elephant XPA is sold out.
Proceeds generated from African Elephant XPA will directly support and help protect Nigeria’s last remaining herd of elephants. Funds will be allocated toward improving community livelihoods through education and anti-poaching efforts, including providing supplies and training for wardens.
Why do African elephants need our help? African elephants, the largest terrestrial mammals on Earth, are found in 37 countries across Africa and their populations are decreasing at alarmingly high rates. The poaching and killing of elephants for their ivory tusks has caused some elephant populations in Africa to decline by more than 60%. But those aren’t the only threats elephants are facing, as human population continues to climb and land is converted for human use, their habitat is shrinking and becoming fragmented. This fragmentation is placing elephants along fringe areas where conflict with humans is much more likely.
Now here’s some good news. Expansive conservation strategies have been put into place to help protect elephant herds through increased patrols and law enforcement efforts. In some areas, these efforts have been able to effectively reduce poaching by around 30%.
Although we are making progress, major conservation efforts for elephants are continually needed to help this species survive. These efforts include effective staffing and training of law enforcement aimed at reducing poaching, implementation of global policy changes that eliminate ivory trafficking and markets, improvement to community livelihoods where people share space with elephants and reduction of human-elephant conflict.
By purchasing African Elephant XPA and supporting Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, you are helping to aid in elephant conservation across the globe.