Environmental Hero David Casselman

David Casselman feels called to the task of changing hearts and minds about the importance of helping animals and the planet. An accomplished civil trial lawyer, David spent decades doing pro bono work to protect animals in addition to his successful career as a trial lawyer, law school professor, and animal advocate. In that capacity, he was actively involved in crafting legislation to help animals, including the California Hayden Law, which expanded the obligations of public animal shelters to care for animals in their possession throughout the state.

Now retired from law, he has chosen to pursue his passion for protecting animals and their environments full-time. Twenty-one years ago, he co-founded the one million-acre Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary and has been actively involved in The Wolf Connection in Los Angles and the Whale Sanctuary Project. At the same time, he has worked as a partner with Lek Chailert and Darrick Thompson with the Elephant Nature Park.

David has also been involved in selecting, supporting, and/often funding the production of movies and programs that support a wide variety of wildlife initiatives. Included are Love and Bananas, Cher and the Loneliest Elephant, Free Billy, The Last Stand, Remaking Wolf Connection, and a series of Podcasts and several TV series now showing on Ecoflix.

David is now the founder and CEO of Ecoflix, the world’s first non-profit streaming service devoted to saving animals and the planet. Dedicated to biodiversity and almost every ecological issue, David champions causes around the world. He hopes Ecoflix will inspire the young and motivate like-minded people of all ages to do everything they can to save animals and the planet.

Lek Chailert with beautiful asian elephants she has helped to save from captivity.

David was instrumental in supporting the Elephant Nature Park and Save Elephant Foundation.

Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary home of many amazing species!

One million acres of rich forest landscape and wildlife populations was set aside in Cambodia through efforts of David and in partnership with the Cambodian Government - designated as the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary

David Casselman and the Film Free Billy

David recently funded the production of a film, Free Billy, which highlights the plight of Billy, an Asian bull elephant, transported to the Los Angeles Zoo when he only 4 years old. Having now lived there for over 32 years. Billy has endured years of brutal training, near total isolation, and lives with almost no appropriate mental stimulation. There has long been a movement to free Billy, which has been ignored by the City, even though David sued the City, proving the serious damage caused by the Zoo, all the way through trial and two appeals. Nonetheless, the fight continues.

Meet David

Interview Questions

When did you first recognize your passion for animals and the environment?

It’s very interesting…I have found different people recognize at different times in their life that this is what they really wanted to do. I always enjoyed animals. We had them growing up, but it wasn't until I graduated from law school that I thought maybe I could use my law degree to help animals. At that particular time, there was the outrage over tuna fishermen catching dolphins in their nets and it was just enraging me that this incredible mammal was being killed in horrible ways…I just didn't understand that and it kind of lit the fire that has consumed me ever since. The idea that you should be kind to animals and treat them well and that they're sentient beings that deserve our respect - I didn't think that was in question. Then as I became exposed to the adult world, I realized it's not only in question, it's often rejected by many people you might think would know better…that’s what kind of got that part of me moving in the direction of, “Hey I need to do something about this. Nobody else seems to be doing enough.”

Did you like animals as a child?

I loved our dog, had a horse that I spent many hours with and I learned a lot from them.

Listen to the video to hear the entire answer!

When during your professional tenure did you start working to help animals in a legal profession?

Very soon afterwards, actually. I was in law school thinking out loud about trying to help the dolphins, and I learned quickly that I couldn't do very much, because they're controlled by international law and treaties and other things. And so, that was very disappointing to me. Then I tried to jump into, as I mentioned, the cattle issues and found out that this particular abuse was not happening in the state where I was licensed, California. That was infuriating, because I felt like, "What's the point of having all this desire, knowledge and willingness to do it and they're out of my jurisdiction, whether it's the physical or the national limitations?" And so, I started looking locally to see what could I do. Some friends of mine who were involved said, "Hey, we have lots of people who need legal work involving their animals." From then on, I was pretty much besieged with animal calls.

To hear more go to our interview!

What is the Hayden Law, and what was your role in getting it passed in California?

Yes, it came to my attention more than once. The Hayden Law was an example that there was a need for legislation in California to protect animals, and Tom Hayden, then married to Jane Fonda, was a state Senator who had championed this cause and he needed help getting it through the legislature. He was a Senator, but there was a lot more needed. I mean, there were needs for experts and lawyers and other people to support it. And in particular, there was drafting work that needed to be done to make sure the law would withstand the challenges legally that it would be presented to, and there were also expected negotiations.

See our interview to learn more about the Hayden Law and David Casselman.

How do you help share the voice of the animals?

This is not unique to me. I think many people have either created organizations called “Voice For The Animals,” or they think about trying to be spokespersons for the animals. And in my case, I really am just picking up the gauntlet where others left it. And some that are still pulling, trying to help them.

Animals are, compared to people, I mean, I feel for people who are in all kinds of different forms of distress. They don't have money, they don't have food, they don't have water, they don't have clothes, they don't have a place to live. I get all that. But they can talk. They can work. They can try harder, they can go to school. There's a million things people can do to try and help themselves. It doesn't always work, it's not easy. But animals have none of those opportunities. They can't communicate, they can't try harder. They can't do anything, and they're left without a voice.