"Many things I don't like about this guy, but this has got me," DeGeneres says on her show Friday.
Ellen DeGeneres addressed the literal elephant in the room on her show Friday after President Donald Trump reversed an Obama-era ban on importing elephant trophies (sport-hunted elephants) into the United States.
As a vocal animal lover, the daytime talk show star stood up for the majestic creatures, launching a #BeKindToElephants campaign on social media. She called on viewers to repost and retweet her photo (below) to help raise awareness for the cause, and promised to make a donation to The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust with each repost and retweet.
"I love elephants, and if you take the time to learn about elephants, you will love elephants, too," DeGeneres said. "Elephants show compassion, sympathy, social intelligence, self-awareness, they're excellent at learning abilities -- all the things I've yet to see in this president."
"Many things I don't like about this guy, but this has got me," she continued. "Elephants have an amazing memory. They follow the same migration route every year for something like 50 or 60 miles. I can't remember exactly, but an elephant would 'cause they have amazing memories. Elephants are majestic, beautiful, thoughtful, intelligent creatures."
DeGeneres then played a clip of a mother elephant helping her baby get out of a ditch, saying, "If you don't see sensitivity, and thoughtfulness, and love in that -- elephants live in a matriarchal society. A female will only leave her herd if she dies or is captured by humans."
DeGeneres explained that her trip to Africa a few years ago allowed her to see elephants in person and that the experience was "breathtaking."
"I am determined to do something about it this. I am posting this picture on Instagram," she said. "If you're as outraged as I am, please repost it, retweet it with the hashtag #BeKindToElephants. And for everyone who does, we'll make a donation to The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to help protect elephants. And if you're not outraged, then I beg you to take a little time to just learn about elephants, just Google them and see how truly remarkable they are. They're worth fighting for, and we owe it to them to protect them. They're extremely sensitive beings."
DeGeneres concluded her plea with a video of an elephant trying to save a man it believes to be drowning.
A number of other Hollywood stars, including Russell Crowe, Susan Sarandon and John Cusack, have also taken to social media to help raise awareness.
Dear people with no soul ,
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) November 16, 2017
stop shooting Elephants https://t.co/T0fThLjOWH
It’s criminal to roll back the elephant trophy import ban when they need our protection. Visit https://t.co/efapCzAtp2 to learn more about the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s amazing work with elephants and how to donate. #BeKindToElephants pic.twitter.com/UavXQnD0kY
— Susan Sarandon (@SusanSarandon) November 17, 2017
The thought that stupid rich punks like trump boys can go to mother Africa and kill elephants is rules of the game style hypcocricy and horror -
— John Cusack (@johncusack) November 17, 2017
Why not do the most horrible thing just to stick it to the black president -
Shameless sick - soulless
Impeach #25thAmemdmentNow
@realDonaldTrump This was my friend Lawrence Anthony. He worked most of his life to help protect the lives of Elephants. Upon his death 31 elephants walked miles to mourn his passing. Please help protect them. pic.twitter.com/djchGZ1P1J
— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) November 17, 2017
Are you outraged by Trump tax plan giving $$ to the rich (including 1 Billion to himself) or if you object to lifting ban on importing slaughtered elephants as ‘trophies’, weigh in. Call Senate switchboard 203-225-3121. Calls are counted. https://t.co/qsxCYbwzm3
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) November 17, 2017
Trump lifts import ban on African elephant ‘trophies’. Happy news for his soulless sons. Ghastly for the elephants pic.twitter.com/egC2TCNTEd
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) November 17, 2017
Trump just gave his son a sick gift -- letting hunters bring African #elephant heads home as trophies. Let's stop him: https://t.co/BsBnHIfLbz
— Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) November 17, 2017
What kind of human decides that hunting Elephants is a great idea. It's just heartbreakingly cruel. Elephants are majestic and special.
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) November 17, 2017
