About Debbie Ethell | Elephant Scientist, Author & Educator

Becoming a scientist was something I dreamed about from an early age. But alcoholism took me down a very different path, one that eventually led to homelessness and years of struggle before recovery offered me a way back.

From an early age, I was fascinated by elephants and spent years learning everything I could about them. Eventually, my path led me to Kenya, where I observed these remarkable individuals firsthand as a scientist. My work there eventually grew beyond research, leading me into classrooms and community projects that reflected a belief I still hold today: we cannot save elephants without helping the people who live alongside them.

Today, I continue to share what I’ve learned through writing, education, and media. My work is rooted not only in science and conservation, but also in the belief that our lives can take unexpected turns and that it is never too late to find our way back to something that matters.

Debbie giving a keynote presentation on wildlife conservation and nonhuman intelligence at the Columbia Sportswear headquarters.

Giving a presentation on elephants at Columbia Sportswear Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.

Headshot of Debbie Ethell, elephant conservation scientist and author.

Whenever my childhood spun out of control I thought to myself … if the elephants could overcome such barriers to survival I could get through this.

–The Will of Heaven

How It All Began

I became obsessed with a herd of wild elephants in Kenya when I was eight years old. Eleanor, the first elephant I met in a documentary, sparked my fascination with elephant behavior and a lifelong curiosity about them. Her story made me want to understand why they make the choices they do, and why their survival matters to us all.

My book series (The Will of Heaven) shares not only the elephants’ stories but also my own struggles overcoming addiction. By reflecting on shared experiences, I began to see deeper connections around loss, resilience, and belonging—themes also seen in orphaned elephants across Kenya.

Putting Knowledge Into Action

Consultant

Steven Wise, founder and lead counsel of the Nonhuman Rights Project and elephant scientist Debbie Ethell having dinner discussing a case.

Working on the largest elephant case in the U.S. with Steven Wise, the late founder and lead counsel of the Nonhuman Rights Project.

Debbie works with international organizations like Friends of Animals, One Voice, and the Nonhuman Rights Project on various elephant court cases to bridge the gap between science and the law. Her work has helped advance legal precedent and reform how we think about nonhuman intelligence.

Founder

Elephant scientist, Debbie Ethell in the foreground with a group of wild elephants in Kenya behind her.

Developing community projects in Kenya with The KOTA Foundation for Elephants.

As the Founder and Executive Director of The KOTA Foundation for Elephants, Debbie directed global wildlife education initiatives. From classroom programs to the First Things First campaign … KOTA provided hundreds of school desks across six schools in rural Kenya.

Producer

Debbie Ethell filming a segment for her elephant series with the camera in the foreground.

Filming an episode of “The Elephant in the Room” YouTube series.

With a generous grant from Lush Cosmetics, Debbie wrote and produced The Elephant in the Room, an 11-episode documentary series. The project explores wildlife intelligence and elephant behavior, highlighting lesser-known facts to reveal their remarkable nature.

Author

Author smiling at a bookstore book signing with The Will of Heaven, a sobriety journey like any other.

On a book tour through Michigan.

In her critically acclaimed memoir series, The Will of Heaven, Debbie explores the profound connection between humanity and the natural world. As a wildlife author driven by a commitment to elephant conservation, she weaves her personal story of recovery with the complex realities facing one of Earth’s most extraordinary sentient species.

Education is the Key

You can’t save the elephants if you don’t help the people.

–Debbie Ethell

Debbie Ethell, elephant conservation scientist and author, teaching students outdoors in Kenya.

The KOTA Foundation for Elephants – Now Closed

A Note from Debbie:

The KOTA Foundation for Elephants was founded to educate about elephants and foster a deeper understanding. As the Founder and Executive Director for nearly a decade, I am proud of the global wildlife education and elephant conservation milestones we achieved.

While the foundation has closed its doors, its legacy continues through my work as an educator and author. This transition allows me to focus on the most impactful ways to bring elephants into the hearts and minds of people everywhere through my memoir series and educational resources.

I look back with deep gratitude for what we achieved and am thrilled for the new chapters ahead.

As always,
For the elephants…

Below you’ll find a snapshot of one of KOTA’s greatest achievements: the First Things First campaign.

Here is a snapshot of what KOTA accomplished in such a short amount of time.

6

The number of rural schools KOTA supported in Kakamega, Kenya.

900

KOTA built desks for more than 900 students to have a seat at the table.

40

Through KOTA, Debbie gave more than 40 presentations on the importance of elephants across Kenya.

KOTA’s Most Successful Project: The First Things First Campaign

Get the video transcript here.

Photos from KOTA’s First Things First Campaign
(Kakamega, Kenya)

Student mopping a wet classroom floor after heavy rain.
Before desks were introduced, students often had to stand or sit on the wet floor after a heavy rain.
Damaged tin roof of a school with a large hole allowing rainwater into the classroom.
Holes in the roof of a classroom.
Bright blue wooden school desk sitting outdoors on the ground.
Newly built school desk from the First Things First campaign.
Young Kenyan child sitting at a newly built school desk while other students sit behind her.
A young girl taking a seat at her new desk.
Three Kenyan schoolgirls in uniform looking directly at the camera wtih calm, satisfied expressions.
Kenya’s future … the young women of Kenya.
Debbie Ethell with a KOTA team member sitting at newly built school desk in Kakamega surrounded by students.
Debbie and a member of KOTA sitting at a newly built school desk.
Group of Kenyan schoolgirls in bright blue uniforms arranged in a semicircle signing during a ceremony for a desk donation campaign.
Young girls’ choir in Kakamega, Kenya, performing at the desk-donation ceremony.
Four Kenyan schoolboys in bright blue uniforms smiling at the camera.
Student portrait during the First Things First desk project, Kenya.
Ibrahim smiling with his hands raised in celebration surrounded by students and newly built desks in the background.
Our dear friend Ibrahim celebrating at the desk ceremony.
Group of Kenyan schoolboys in uniform dancing and celebrating with newly built desks in the background.
Students celebrate the arrival of new classroom desks during the First Things First campaign in Kakamega, Kenya.