Question

This was inspired by the old "strange interview question" of "What would you do if you were given an elephant, and you could not give it away?"

What constitutes "Giving something away" though?

Typically the answer to this question is to start a business utilizing the elephant as an attraction, elephant rides, etc.

Would you have to be physically present and monitoring the elephant at the event for it to not be considered "given away"? Most would say no, right?

Obviously ownership is still yours. But what if the event lasts a week? What if they host it once every month and they decide to store the elephant on premises? I think here most people would still say no, you're renting the elephant.

But what about this. Let's say I think monetizing this elephant is ethically wrong. I can't give it to some charity, so I think "Why not lease them the elephant. So I offer The International Elephant Foundation to lease my elephant for 150 years for $1.00.

Does that constitute "Giving it away"?

Answer 1

Leasing an elephant for 150 years for $1.00, particularly in a conservation context, is effectively analogous to 'giving it away' because it transfers control for a period longer than a human lifespan, resembling a permanent arrangement. Conservation strategies involving community-based incentives, such as tourism integration with local villages, are deemed more effective for elephant population protection and poaching reduction.

Step-by-step explanation:

This was inspired by the old "strange interview question" of "What would you do if you were given an elephant, and you could not give it away?" In the context of wildlife conservation and management, 'giving something away' typically refers to transferring ownership rights and responsibilities to another party permanently without compensation or with negligible compensation. Leasing an elephant to an organization for a long period, such as 150 years for $1.00, can be argued to constitute effectively 'giving it away' because it involves relinquishing control and benefits of the elephant for a period extending beyond the lifespan of a human being, therefore resembling a permanent transfer rather than a temporary arrangement.

When choosing conservation strategies, like those for protecting elephants in African countries, there are different models to consider. One approach involves creating large, isolated national parks, while another encompasses integrating conservation with local community benefits by using tourism. The latter approach, which incentivizes local villagers to protect and preserve elephant populations due to the economic benefits derived from tourism, seems more likely to reduce poaching and promote elephant conservation sustainably.