Wonderful donates to Save the Elephants

Wonderful Pistachios, the brand represented by computer-generated mascot Ernie the Elephant, has donated $100,000 to Save the Elephants.

The contribution goes to anti-poaching efforts in Africa and is in recognition of World Elephant Day (Aug. 12), according to a news release.

“Our spokes-elephant Ernie is a beloved member of the Wonderful Pistachios family who symbolizes the spirit of all elephants everywhere,” Adam Cooper, vice president of marketing for Los Angeles-based The Wonderful Co., said in the release. “This donation represents our commitment to protecting a truly wonderful species whose very survival is in jeopardy.”

The funding will support an anti-poaching boat unit, aerial anti-poaching patrols, real-time tracking of elephant herds and training of new anti-poaching rangers.

“Elephants are fast disappearing from the wild, and without urgent, international action they could be gone within a generation,” Iain Douglas-Hamilton, founder and president of Save the Elephants, said in the release. “This generous donation from Wonderful Pistachios will help us continue our critical mission to secure a future for elephants in harmony with people.”