STOPPING THE WAR
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It is estimated that between 30,000 - 36,000 African elephants are killed each year by poachers, with majority of the ivory tusks being smuggled to countries thousands of kilometres away. Elephant populations are literally being decimated in Africa. Between 2009 - 2012, 100,000* elephants were killed, using any means at a poachers disposal, including: shooting with automatic machine guns (AK-47s); using poison arrows or poisoned spears; or even poisoning waterholes, indiscriminately killing other wildlife in the process. At this rate, there will soon be no elephants left in Africa.
*The study, published in the August 19 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, led by George Wittemyer of Colorado State University, included local and regional population estimates and concluded that three-quarters of local elephant populations are declining. |
Photograph by Kate Brooks, Redux
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The Ivory Trail
The ivory smuggling route, or 'ivory trail', starts with the poacher, with the ivory exchanging hands several times until it reaches its destination — typically the Asian market; more specifically China.
A recent investigation, where GPS tracking devices were installed into fake elephant tusks, revealed the ivory smuggling route. The fake tusks were tracked as they were smuggled from Garamba National Park in the Congo, northwards into Sudan.
In Africa, the war on wildlife is just the tip of a larger war — a war which is detrimental to the wellbeing of both the wildlife and the people of Africa. Terrorists and rebel militia kill elephants for ivory, which they trade for arms, ammunition and medicines. For example, foot soldiers of the notorious Lord's Resistance Army poach elephants in Congo's Garamba National Park, then carry the tusks on their backs for nearly a thousand kilometres, travelling through the dense tropical jungle of Central African Republic, through South Sudan, into Darfur, Sudan, where they trade the ivory tusks with Sudanese armed forces in exchange for medicine and arms.
These poachers are extremely ruthless and violent terrorists that will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Their violence is not only unleashed on Africa's wildlife, but very often local communities are also exposed to their brutality. Typically, the only thing standing between these ruthless bands of terrorists and unarmed local communities are the park rangers. Therefore, in the interest of both Africa's wildlife and it's peace-loving citizens, it is imperative that these park rangers get all the support we can muster.
A recent investigation, where GPS tracking devices were installed into fake elephant tusks, revealed the ivory smuggling route. The fake tusks were tracked as they were smuggled from Garamba National Park in the Congo, northwards into Sudan.
In Africa, the war on wildlife is just the tip of a larger war — a war which is detrimental to the wellbeing of both the wildlife and the people of Africa. Terrorists and rebel militia kill elephants for ivory, which they trade for arms, ammunition and medicines. For example, foot soldiers of the notorious Lord's Resistance Army poach elephants in Congo's Garamba National Park, then carry the tusks on their backs for nearly a thousand kilometres, travelling through the dense tropical jungle of Central African Republic, through South Sudan, into Darfur, Sudan, where they trade the ivory tusks with Sudanese armed forces in exchange for medicine and arms.
These poachers are extremely ruthless and violent terrorists that will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Their violence is not only unleashed on Africa's wildlife, but very often local communities are also exposed to their brutality. Typically, the only thing standing between these ruthless bands of terrorists and unarmed local communities are the park rangers. Therefore, in the interest of both Africa's wildlife and it's peace-loving citizens, it is imperative that these park rangers get all the support we can muster.
EmpowERing Communities
Firstly, we need to instil a sense of ownership amongst local communities, together with the will to protect their natural heritage. They need to understand that poaching is a crime, that not only affects wildlife, but their wellbeing too. Secondly, decision-makers and government officials need to recognize that poaching is a crime that needs to be taken seriously, and a crime that needs to be stopped. Park rangers need to be adequately equipped and trained to combat poachers, taking cognizance of the fact that in many cases they are heavily armed and dangerous. Education and training are paramount if we have any hope of winning this war.
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Kenya Burns Confiscated Ivory
Kenyan wildlife officials recently burned over 100 tons of confiscated ivory, in what is estimated as the largest single destruction from illegally poached elephant tusks, of all time. Additionally, officials destroyed ornaments and trinkets made from illegally poached ivory, including over 1 tonne of rhino horns.
On Saturday, 30th April 2016 the elephant tusks, were stacked up high in a dozen giant pyres and set alight by order of the Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyattta. Other dignitaries attending the Giant Club Wildlife Summit were also present as what was seen a mix of fuel consisting of kerosene and diesel was pumped into each ivory pyre to create an extremely high temperature to incinerate the ivory and reduce it to ashes as it burned over the next few days, some attendees refer to this as an elephant memorial service.
At the current poaching rates, wildlife conservation officials are concerned that elephants will become extinct within the next 50 years and the illegal sale of ivory is not brought to an end. The burning of the ivory serves as a monumental stand by Kenyan officials as a clear message and statement to the World that ivory should be a worthless commodity, with negligible market value (not an industry).
On Saturday, 30th April 2016 the elephant tusks, were stacked up high in a dozen giant pyres and set alight by order of the Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyattta. Other dignitaries attending the Giant Club Wildlife Summit were also present as what was seen a mix of fuel consisting of kerosene and diesel was pumped into each ivory pyre to create an extremely high temperature to incinerate the ivory and reduce it to ashes as it burned over the next few days, some attendees refer to this as an elephant memorial service.
At the current poaching rates, wildlife conservation officials are concerned that elephants will become extinct within the next 50 years and the illegal sale of ivory is not brought to an end. The burning of the ivory serves as a monumental stand by Kenyan officials as a clear message and statement to the World that ivory should be a worthless commodity, with negligible market value (not an industry).
Watch the ivory burning:
If nothing is done, before we know it there will be nothing left for future generations — both in Africa and further afield — to enjoy.
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TAKE POSITIVE ACTION TODAY.
CONSERVATION STATUS:
Vulnerable Elephant Conservation
Elephant poaching in Africa follows a similar trend to that of rhinos above. The level of poaching has been rapidly escalating since 2006, with levels rising dramatically in 2011. The level of poaching has dramatically risen across all African subregions, and has now passed the threshold at which it is sustainable. Because the number of elephants being killed far outnumbers those being born, African elephant populations are in a state of decline. |
CONSERVATION STATUS:
Critically Endangered Rhino Conservation
The rate at which rhinos are being exterminated by poachers is truly alarming. In South Africa alone, where rhino poaching has increased by 4000% since 2007, 1.6 rhinos are slaughtered every day, which equates to 576 rhinos killed every year. This level of poaching cannot be sustained. Very soon there will be no rhino left at all, and our children and grandchildren will only see these animals in books. |
CONSERVATION STATUS:
Vulnerable Cheetah Conservation
Like the rhino and elephant, cheetah populations are in sharp decline and the species is at risk of going extinct unless drastic conservation measures are implemented. However, unlike rhino and elephant, the decline in cheetah numbers is not solely due to poaching, although poaching together with indiscriminate trapping and killing by livestock farmers has taken its toll and is partly to blame. |
CHANGING OUR WORLD