Actor Ian Somerhalder, who is popular for his bad boy vampire role of Damon Salvatore on the most recognized series “Vampire Diaries,” possesses a softer side for the environment and the animals.

Many years ago during his travel to Africa, he took a decision and made it his goal to assist save the wild elephants of Africa.

“I was enjoying a stay in Zimbabwe in the bush at this implausible preservation institute. I used to wake up and enjoy my coffee with an orphaned, young elephant called Dojiwae, every morning. Unfortunately, poachers killed both of her parents.”

After that incident, he sought to help end the ivory trade and elephant poaching.

“If people possessed the capability to make that association, the physical association of this lovely intelligent animal… I am of the view that people would surely sense in an entirely different way about when they consider about taking this ivory and what it worth to slay these lovely animals.”

Somerhalder went a step further on this stance and partnered with the association WildAid for its Year of the Elephant movement.

Referring to the facts provided by WildAid, almost 33,000 elephants are slayed each year in order to get their ivory.

“It is the goal of WildAid’s. It is our entire purpose to make this year, the year of the elephant; in which way more elephants are born as compared to those slayed by poachers,” said the actor.

The campaign teaches people about the production of ivory products and asks them to vow never to purchase ivory again.

To See More

“They do not know that the tiny piece of ivory in their necklace or their bracelet, came from an elephant. Therefore, it is about beginning to inquire everything. Inquire where these things are brought from, why they are even there and join the discussion,” Somerhalder added.

It is among the best ways to end elephants poaching that we encourage people not to buy ivory products, he said.

“When the buying ends, the killing will end.”