There is someone specializing in elephant conservation in Colorado. I also know a few people in the EMA that have studied at Regis and Adelphi for their masters and PhD respectively.
My main career goals are working in elephant conservation and behavioral research too, if I can. Working with NGOs/Non-profits or organizations like the IUCN or WWF seems like the best path for me, as personally I’m not so sure I could work as a researcher in a zoo, and while being in academia would be nice for the ability to research extensively, I’m not so sure I’d be confident I’m “making the change I want to see in the world”, yknow?
A back up, should neither of those work, is conservation medicine and vet sciences (hence why I am still interested in A&M, as they have a good vet school).