— Say hello, I'm sad, I'm happy in a very different language

The Hello in Elephant website allows users to translate basic phrases into genuine elephant sounds recorded in Kenya, and a short video of the elephant call can be posted on social media or sent to a friend.

— Purpose

There were over 10 million African elephants in the early 20th century, but now there's less than 400,000, and by 2025 it's projected only 190,000 will be left. Hello in Elephant was created to raise awareness for these African elephants. 

The tool, developed with the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, in collaboration with Elephant Voices, was released in time for World Elephant Day on August 12. Donations made through the website are split between the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Elephant Voices. 

— Solution

Users can either use their microphone to translate a spoken phrase into elephant language, or simply type the phrase or emoji.  

Dr Joyce Poole, an elephant behaviour expert and the co-founder and co-director of Elephant Voices, has researched elephants for over 40 years, and she and her team used sound recording equipment to capture the vocalisations made by elephants.
 
For example, the elephant translation of 'hello' shows an elephant raise its trunk up and back down and make a mid-pitched, long groaning call.

— Results

The project had a global impact, donations increased by 34%, and elephant adoptions increased by 35%. In just one month, with no paid/donated media, the campaign generated 400 million impressions across 53 countries, worth $6.53 million in earned media.

The site and the accompanying campaign was covered by the BBC, Sky News, as well as various online news sites, and the world's leading conservation organisations - including the UN, United for Wildlife, and Born Free - got involved too.