Summer 2024

here’s a small little shop in the Crossroads Shopping Center doing big things for some of the largest mammals on Earth. There’s no doubt—despite their size, elephants are cute and lovable. They are at the top of any list of the world’s largest extant land animals, they’re highly intelligent, empathetic and form strong social and familial bonds. It’s a mystery as to why some humans find it necessary—or in some cases sporting—to chase these noble creatures (speed is not one of their best features, so that’s not hard) and kill them.Nevertheless, thousands of adult elephants are poached every year. And one sad result of that elephanticide is that the victims’ offspring are left orphaned.That’s where Elephant Havens steps in. “Elephant Havens was founded by my friend Debra Stevens,” says Susie Bauer, owner with her husband Richard, of Mopane in Carmel’s Crossroads Shopping Center. Pronounced Mo PAH Knee, the “tree of life” that elephants eat which also ben- efits humans. Bauer’s shop features unique fair-trade jewelry and dec- orative pieces. Entering this store, the visitor is greeted by a riot of colorful items. There are sculptures crafted from recycled flip flops, intricately woven baskets and wall art, leather goods and jewelry. “Most of the items in 164 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 4 Among the many unique and wonderful items at Mopane are (clock- wise from left) colorful sculptures made from recycled flip flops; bas- kets by a master weaver from Botswana; sublime pieces by world- renowned Shona sculptor Dennis Nyangonga. T Pronounced Mo PAH Knee, the “tree of life” that elephants eat which also benefits humans.