During their 1987 trip to East Africa, Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg were deeply affected by their first encounter with elephants. While visiting Amboseli National Park, they were introduced to David Western, familiarly known as Jonah, then director of Wildlife Conservation Society's East Africa program. Jonah's description of elephant behavior, of the deep familial bonds within elephant clans and of the devastating impact of the ivory trade sparked a lasting commitment to elephant conservation. The Foundation has worked closely with Jonah ever since:

• Funding the decisive study of the ivory trade that led to the total trade ban in 1989;
• Purchasing a vital elephant corridor between Tarangiere and Lake Manyara National Parks in Tanzania in 1990;