Shannon Elizabeth Finds Her Soulmate and Purpose in Wildlife Conservation

Shannon Elizabeth, known for her role in the film American Pie, has transformed her passion for animals into a global mission. Through her commitment to wildlife conservation, she has not only discovered her purpose but has also found love in South Africa.

Elizabeth initiated her journey into animal advocacy in Los Angeles in 2001 with her charity, Animal Avengers. Over the years, she aspired to expand her efforts on a larger scale. Explaining her motivation, Elizabeth noted, “I started my charity originally in L.A. in 2001 as a dog rescue called Animal Avengers. And over time, I knew I wanted to help more animals on a bigger scale. And I went on this long quest of what that looks like.”

After moving to New York in 2014, Elizabeth learned about the pressing issues of rhino poaching and the ivory trade, which profoundly influenced her charitable work. This led her to establish the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation and connect with individuals dedicated to conservation efforts, many of whom hailed from South Africa.

“There was something that clicked in me. It was something I saw on Instagram that just flipped a switch in me,” Elizabeth shared. “I said, this is what I need to do. These animals could go extinct in our lifetime, and I feel like this is the next generation of my charity. So I started exploring Africa.”

Embracing Change and New Experiences in South Africa

Driven by her desire to engage directly with conservation issues, Elizabeth relocated to South Africa. She reflected, “I realized I want to be closer to the issues. I want to be over there. I came here not really knowing what I was going to do with the charity and how I would help. It felt like everything led me here.”

Adjusting to life in a different country presented its challenges. Elizabeth acknowledged, “One of the things that I realized was that you don’t have everything at your fingertips here. There isn’t an active Amazon here where you could just order whatever you want. It made me start thinking more creatively about what I need and what I can substitute.”

With humor, she described becoming resourceful, saying, “I became like MacGyver for things. I would hold on to every little cord because I knew I could use it for something else.” She expressed gratitude for the warm reception she received from the local community, highlighting how they helped her adjust to her new life.

Finding Love Through Shared Passion

Elizabeth’s journey also brought her to meet her husband, Simon Borchert, a conservation activist from Cape Town. Their first encounter occurred during her initial trip to South Africa, where mutual friends brought them together.

“He grew up in conservation, and his dad is a well-known conservationist. He made the move quite easy for me,” Elizabeth explained. “He showed me the ropes and helped me understand how everything works here, especially since he speaks Afrikaans, which is one of the local languages.”

The couple has combined their professional and personal lives, working from home to manage the foundation’s operations while minimizing expenses. Elizabeth expressed how rewarding it is to share this mission with someone she loves, stating, “It’s challenging, but really rewarding to do it with someone you love. We are mirror images of each other and aligned with everything we love.”

Creating Joy in the Field

While the business side of charity work is demanding, Elizabeth described their cherished moments spent caring for wildlife. “When we go to our sanctuary, we camp, sleep in tents, and rise with the sun. We help the rangers care for a blind black rhino, and that’s really our happy place.”

Despite her extensive contributions to wildlife conservation, Elizabeth continues to pursue her acting career. Having first gained recognition in American Pie in 1999, she expressed gratitude for the doors it opened, allowing her philanthropic work to flourish.

Reflecting on her breakthrough moment, she shared, “I remember getting the call that I booked it. I was so grateful and excited. When I got the call, I jumped out of the car to share the news with my boyfriend and twisted my ankle in the process. It was a mix of joy and pain!”

Balancing Career and Mission

Throughout her career, Elizabeth has taken on various roles in films such as Scary Movie and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Even while managing her foundation, she remains active in Hollywood, taking on acting and directing projects.

“I feel privileged to have connected with my fans and to hear how my work has impacted them,” she stated. “I never realized the significance of my roles until I began attending conventions and saw how emotional fans get. It’s gratifying to know I was part of their experiences.”

Her dedication to wildlife conservation has shifted her approach to acting, making her focus more on environmentally friendly projects. “I sometimes need to fund myself because I don’t take a salary from the charity. I see my acting as my job and my charity as my mission,” she emphasized.

Documenting a Message of Hope

Currently, Elizabeth is utilizing her Hollywood expertise to share wildlife conservation stories through film. She is working on a documentary about Munu, a critically endangered black rhino needing special care due to his blindness.

“I believe it’s essential to combine your job with what you love. If you can blend both, you’re truly winning at life,” she concluded, passionately advocating for the ongoing protection of endangered species.