Kira Silverman thinks people should be more like elephants.
"They are models to make our world sustainable," the 21-year-old said.
On Saturday, Silverman will emcee and perform at a gala dedicated to the animal she loves.
The Conservation Initiative for the Asian Elephant will host the event, which will help Asian elephants in one of the five largest herds in the world.
The gala will feature an improvised performance by UF Theatre Strike Force, and will be from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Wooly located at 20 N. Main St.
Silverman said she hopes to highlight the issue of elephants being hunted in South Asia and the loving relationship elephants have with each other through her performance and work with the organization.
"I think my connection to the TSF and elephants will bring an energy to the audience at the gala," the UF psychology senior said.
Silverman said she started to get involved with the conservation initiative when she took UF professor Ron Chandler’s psychology of sustainability class last Spring. Chandler co-founded the organization in 1999. He said elephants are role models of how humans should interact with each other and the world. Elephants are compassionate and benefit the land they live on, he said.
"Elephants are highly socially intelligent, and understanding how they live with each other and benefit their landscape is a role model for us," Chandler said.
UF sustainability senior Nazmi Ahmed said students usually hear about South Asian disasters, but they rarely hear about the animals there.
The 21-year-old said she feels a connection to the Asian elephant because of her South Asian heritage.
"I’ll be attending, and I’m really excited for it," Ahmed said.
Student tickets are $25 in advance and $12.50 at the door on a first-come-first-serve basis.
