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Chloe Desesquelles is the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) Friend of the Month and the latest addition to the EPI team as programme manager. From encounters with elephants and “ghost lemurs” to sensitive work in conflict zones, Chloe brings a unique blend of passion and pragmatism to the EPI herd.
As the group’s new Programme Manager, she shares her passion for sustainable, community-driven conservation and recounts some of her most unforgettable wildlife encounters
Could you tell us a little bit about your childhood? Were you growing up in the city or in the countryside? And were you interested in conservation and environmental issues from a young age?
I grew up in multiple countries, from New Caledonia to China. Although I’m French, France is the country I’ve lived in the least! I mostly grew up in cities and only started to really connect with nature and understand the pressing climate biodiversity issues in high school, when I lived in Tianjin, China.
Later, while studying in the Netherlands, I became involved in student environmental groups, volunteered for Greenpeace, and wondered how we could improve waste management and sustainability in everyday life. Studying environmental law deepened my passion for conservation and environmental issues, and working in densely populated areas just made me increasingly conscious of the rarity of wild places and the need to protect them.
What was the career path which brought you to the EPI?
I studied international development and criminology, specialising in conflicts and state security. I first worked in the legal field, at the International Criminal Court, and taught International Criminal Law at the Hague University. After a few years, I wanted to move beyond theory and work closer to the realities on the ground. That led me to Burkina Faso, where I joined a peacebuilding NGO and worked on conflict resolution and natural resource management projects. That experience deepened my understanding of how environmental and social issues intersect, and it is what first drew me toward conservation. I then joined the Wildlife Conservation Society, where I worked for over 3 years across Central and East Africa, before recently returning to West Africa, and am now based in Côte d’Ivoire with the EPI Foundation.
How would you like to make a difference, for the EPI and for conservation more generally?
The fundraising landscape for conservation has changed significantly over the last years, making it increasingly challenging to sustain projects that are both impactful and financially viable. High staff turnover within organisations and governments adds to that challenge. What I hope to contribute to the EPI Foundation is to strengthen our project portfolio and help build a more sustainable conservation model, one that creates opportunities for local communities to benefit from and advocate for conservation so that they are not just participants but leaders in protecting Africa’s wildlife and ecosystems.
Africa is, of course, world-renowned for its wildlife, including elephants. What have been some of your most outstanding experiences within the continent?
I’ve been fortunate to have many incredible experiences around elephants. A recent one is when my car broke downright next to a bull. He was quietly eating, completely unbothered by my presence, which was both nerve-wracking and magical! Another unforgettable experience was in Madagascar, when I came across a couple of Silky Sifaka Lemurs, also known as “the Ghost Lemur”. Seeing these rare, graceful creatures in one of the most lush and mystical forests I’ve ever visited was truly humbling.
Finally, please describe your perfect weekend away from work.
A perfect weekend for me is one spent in nature, somewhere remote with no internet connection. Ideally surrounded by both forest and ocean. I love a mix of hiking and diving, sharing delicious locally sourced food with a few authentic friends, and ending the day with music, a beautiful sunset, and peace.
