Elephant Conservation

The African elephant is one of the most majestic animals on earth. Graceful, beautiful and unique, a world without them is almost too awful to imagine. But that is the stark possibility that was presented this week by experts in animal conservation at the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), who said that the African elephant could be extinct in the wild in as little as 15 years.

Dwindling Population

The population of African elephants today stands at about 600,000. This may seem like a fairly healthy number, but it is going down rapidly. Experts suggest that the population is now going down by as many as 38,000 each year, or 100 each day. And at this rate they only have a certain amount of time left.

The Ivory Trade

These figures have been worked out based on seizures of illegal tusks that have been found on their way to eastern markets. This is a trade that is growing rapidly after being brought relatively under control in recent years. In 2006 alone, 11 tonnes of ivory was seized on ships heading for the far east. The trade has grown so large that the amount of elephants being killed now outweigh the number being born.

Elephants are just one of the animals under threat from illegal poaching. The illegal trade in wildlife is currently valued at a staggering $12.5 billion.

Troubled History

The problem with the poaching of elephants is that the ban on ivory trading has been undermined over the years. 20 years ago, CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) introduced new measures that effectively made the ivory trade illegal. Enormous protection was given to elephants to prevent the vast drops in numbers that had been witnessed throughout the 1980s. During the space of ten years, the numbers went down from 1.2 million to 450,000.

Despite initial success, loopholes and new efforts by the pro-ivory industry have seen the trade rise again. One of the major problems is that sales of ivory from elephants that have died from natural causes are occasionally permitted. However, this only serves to fuel demand. On top of that, the recent economic crisis has made things even worse as anti-poaching efforts are scaled back.

The problem can be witnessed starkly in Zakouma National Park in Chad. As recently as 2005, there were 3,885 elephants here. This year that number has gone down to just 617.

New Regulation Needed

Now IFAW is calling for immediate action to combat the potential extinction of this incredible animal. It is calling on all members of CITES and the EU to stop its support for the ivory trade completely.

Kenya has proposed to extend the ‘resting period’ for ivory sales from nine to 20 years, and IFAW is asking for support for this initiative at the next CITES meeting in March 2010.

Support the IFAW

If you want to help the IFAW in its bid to save the elephant from imminent extinction, you can support it through its website. Not only will you be helping the plight of the elephants, but the fund also supports animal welfare initiatives across the globe, running projects in over 40 countries.

Elephant Tusks

Kenyan authorities have reported the discovery of a huge haul of illegal ivory that was destined to head to the Asian market. In total, 684 kilograms were seized at Nairobi Airport, comprising entirely of elephant tusks.

This is a huge haul that is worth millions of dollars on the black market. Kenya Wildlife Service also revealed that a similar sized haul was found in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia at the same time. Back in July, another large haul of ivory was found in Kenya, consisting of 16 elephant tusks and two rhino horns, suggesting that poaching and the illegal ivory trade is still thriving in East Africa.

Asian Connection

The most recent haul was destined to travel to Bangkok. The demand for ivory in Asia is very high, and China is an especially popular destination. Some experts believe that the increasing Chinese workers across Africa are playing a role in the growth of the trade in recent years. Many of them are on low salaries, and as a result they have turned into middle men for the potentially lucrative trade. Ivory sells for up to $1,000 a kilogram, making it a tempting proposition for many.

A Growing Trade

Ivory

So far this year, poachers in Kenya have killed 128 elephants for their ivory. This was up from last year when 98 elephants were killed. Although all killing of game has been outlawed since 2003 in the country, restrictions are occasionally lifted on a one-off basis, which only serves to exacerbate the problem.

How to Help

Elephants may not suffer from the same endangered status as other large mammals in Africa, such as mountain gorillas and rhinoceroses. But they are still under threat all across the continent due to poaching and problems caused when they come into contact with people.

Save the Elephants is one of the biggest and most active charities dedicated exclusively to the protection of elephants across Africa. The charity focuses on different key areas to protect the animals and ensure their continued survival.

These include research through such schemes as GPS tracking to gain a greater insight into the behaviour of the animals which can lead to new and more effective protection methods. They also focus on education at a grassroots level, working on the belief that the local communities are the best ambassadors for elephants as they share the land with the animals.

Another important aspect of the charity’s work is protection. Elephants are constantly at risk from the illegal ivory trade, and poaching is rife. In order to combat poaching, effective deterrents must be put in place. Radio tracking and aerial surveillance are used to combat illegal poaching, and it is initiatives like this that help to ensure the protection of the species.

There are many other charities that support elephant conservation, two of which are Born Free and ACF (African Conservation Foundation). Visit the websites to find out more about the plight of the elephants and to find out what you can do to help.

NTV Kenya

1 – Don’t Buy Souvenirs Made from Animals

A powerful advertisement by WWF

Most people probably know that they should steer well clear of ivory products, but might not realise that poachers also pose a massive threat to other African species. For example rhinos may be hunted for their horns; gorillas, leopards and other animals are hunted for their skins; and marine creatures are harvested to sell as souvenirs.

One of the best ways that you can help conservation in Africa is to make sure that you never buy this type of souvenir. This includes steering clear of the meat of these animals in exotic restaurants, both in Africa and elsewhere.

2 – Donate to a Cause

There are lots of charities out there dedicated to conservation in Africa. This includes international charities such as the World Wildlife Fund or the Born Free Foundation, as well as smaller local charities.

Even a small donation to one of these charities can make a big difference. Next time it’s a friend’s birthday, why not adopt an animal as a gift for them? You’ll receive a great gift pack to give them as part of their present, and you will both be a little happier knowing that you are helping an animal somewhere in Africa. Check out one of our favourite charity the David Sheldrick Trust in Kenya for more information on how to adopt an orphaned baby elephant or rhino. www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org

David Sheldrick Trust

3 – Get Involved

If you don’t want to just donate money to a wildlife conservation charity, why not actually get involved yourself?

There are lots of charities which offer volunteers the chance to go and spend some time helping on a wildlife conservation project in Africa. Not only will you be helping the conservation cause, but you will get the experience of a lifetime. Projects vary from a week up to several months and are a great way to spend a gap year or a sabbatical as they give you something that is absolutely priceless.

Drop us an email and we can give you details of some of our recommended organizations in Africa and you too can start making a difference!

Save the Rhino

There is something prehistoric about rhinos. Seeing them at a distance you can almost convince yourself that you are looking upon a scene from thousands of years ago. These fantastic creatures are the highlight of any safari to Tanzania or elsewhere in Africa, but they have long been threatened by poaching. Sadly, it has now been reported that rhino poaching has hit a 15-year high.

According to a briefing from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, the situation is starting to get out of control. Rhinos are being poisoned at their watering holes or shot by poachers who then cut off their horns to sell. It is an international problem across Africa and Asia, and some experts are now predicting that it could see rhinos become extinct in the near future.

It’s sad news for anyone who cares about rhinos. These fascinating creatures have long been hunted for their horns, which are used in traditional medicine in the Far East as well as for knife handles. It’s such a waste of a wonderful animal, and such has been the problem that conservationists have been known to cut off their horns after sedating them to lower the levels of rhino poaching.

If you want to see rhinos in their natural habitat then one of the best places to head is Tanzania. Although they can be found in many countries, Tanzania has a huge number of national parks, including the Serengeti, Ngorogogo Crater and the enormous Selous Game Reserve, the biggest and wildest of the lot. Head to any of these areas and there’s a good chance you’ll be able to see and take photos of rhinos.

www.selousrhinotrust.org

Alternatively, you could opt to join a rhino conservation programme. Due to their endangered status you could help them by combining a holiday with a rhino conservation programme that aims to protect them. You could even go on a safari and stay in a lodge that boasts eco credentials which is another way to help.

Alternatively, if you can’t go to see them yourself then you could help by supporting a rhino conservation charity. One of the biggest of these is Save the Rhino International, and supporting this charity will mean you are directly helping to save these marvellous creatures from extinction. Another charity is the Selous Rhino Trust, which monitors black rhinos in the Selous Game Reserve following their reappearance in 1990 after they were thought to have become extinct there.

It is sad to hear that rhino poaching has not gone away and has risen to a 15-year high. But there are many ways that you can help to save them. Whether you join a charity or you go to Tanzania to see them in the wild, you can be sure that you are doing your bit for their welfare. And if you manage to take some great photos of them when you are over there, perhaps your snaps will help to inspire others to care for these wonderful creatures.