Habitat Fragmentation and Loss: Whose Loss Really?

Today i go back to talking about a major issue affecting the elephant...but first....let me begin by saying, blogging is hard work! Yes it is...bloggers testify! So when the opportunity to go on break comes along, we take it! Basically, we have to decide on our own breaks otherwise we'll be stuck writing and end up doing so just for the sake. However, i just wanted to say, its the readers that make the hours put into thinking, creating and writing worthwhile, so, thank you dear readers!

Now, back to elephants. You see, the threats facing elephants such as this one could all be solved with
one word, kindness. Surprising ha? Yes, kindness can go a long way even in saving these big creatures. I like this word 'kindness'....especially when show host Ellen Degeneres says it, "be kind to one another!" at the end of her show. Isn't that what being human is all about? Wouldn't we be less hateful to one another if we just stopped to be kind. And if we can be kind to one another, shouldn't we be kind to animals?

Most times as humans we have the tendency to distant ourselves from issues that don't affect us directly. For example, who would care to hear that a herd of elephants died because they lost their habitat? Honestly, most of us wouldn't give it a second thought. I however, want to help change that because believe it or not, clearing out forest land to create farms may seem harmless and sure its helping develop our nations, but in the long run, we are just killing mother nature one tree at a time. And if mother nature dies....'we die'. See how the tables turn?

Every part of this world was created with purpose. Sure, we as humans are growing in population by the minute and in order to survive have to 'till the land', but should this be done at the expense of another's survival? In my previous posts, i must have tired your ears out with my insistence on why elephants need their land. And i'll say it again, elephants survival is tied to them being able to roam on their land and feed as much as their appetites needs them to. Sometimes we forget that we were created to enjoy the company of these animals. Did i say sometimes...i mean, all the time! In Biblical view, we were given the authority to care for these animals. Even those who don't believe in the existence of God can at least agree on this!

Elephants like any other wild animal survives on instincts, so when pushed to the wall, they push back. Hence the growing numbers of human deaths as a result of conflicts with elephants cannot be blamed on them. Due to the fragmentation of  their land, elephants are forced to flee to smaller lands and end up going in search of food from farms. This causes conflict as many are injured or die in an attempt to save their farms. They like us have to fight for their survival, even if its at the cost of a life.

Now that we know its primarily our fault as the human race that elephants habitats are being depleted, what can we do about it? There's a lot that can be done to ensure that more land is not converted to farmlands or in developing infrastructure. Through educating those involved in the act itself on the dangers of deforestation to not only the land but to the elephants, we can help reduce the rising cases in habitat loss. We can also support initiatives by environmental and conservation groups working endlessly to come up with ways to prevent this issue. By voicing our concerns through campaigns, someone is bound to stop and listen, right? Because at the end of the day, whose loss is it really when we deplete these animals habitats? Food for thought.

Anti-Poaching Units: Guardians Of Our Wildlife

This week I've dedicated these pages to speak out on everything poaching and everything anti-poaching. Maybe not everything yet...one thing remains...one thing of absolute importance to the fight against poaching...the anti-poaching unit! There is no anti-poaching ranger without a unit as there is no anti-poaching unit without a ranger. These men and women cannot fight singly...they need partners...and their partners need partners. That's why there's a unit. Battles like these are not a one man show, so to speak.

Anti-poaching units are established under law enforcement as a tool for protecting wildlife within
designated areas. Units are usually broken into patrols each with a patrol leader. Unit sizes usually depend on the designated area of responsibility, the threats within that area and resources. Not for the faint-hearted, the duties of a ranger include but is not limited to; patrolling a designated area, maintaining assertiveness against all poaching activities, arresting and apprehending poachers, removal of snares, rescuing trapped or injured wildlife and reporting wildlife movements.

There being a big number of wildlife lost in the wild and limited man power, these units work effortlessly stretching their limits for the protection of these animals. In the world of elephants, these men and women are heroes. Let me introduce you to two of these units:

1. Pro-Track Anti-Poaching Unit, South Africa
As their name suggests, these guys are 'pros' when it comes to everything anti-poaching. Established in 1992 as a first ever private unit, it has built a name for itself in the world of anti-poaching. Rangers joining this unit are required to undergo a four week training course that has been polished over the years by experienced professionals. As part of the curriculum, these men and women are required to complete courses in anti-poaching, security, first aid/ fire fighting, weapons and snake handling training. If successfully completed, the ranger is recruited and begins work! With physical capability and the heart of a lion (no pun intended whatsoever), these men and women are required to have the ability to perform their duties under immense pressure while maintaining team spirit!

Pro-Track's patrol teams include two members; a team leader and a scout. Armed with a firearm, they are deployed for 16 days and replaced with a fresh team upon completion. They perform duties such as patrols, removal of snares, marking way points and record game sightings. They work with GPS and radio back to reaction teams for assistance, all in a day's work!

2. Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit, Zimbabwe

VFAPU as commonly known, was established in 1999 by Charles Brightman, a professional guide, local safari operator and conservationist together with Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. This unit works in conjunction with the Zimbabwe National Parks, Wildlife Management Authority and the Zimbabwe Police to carry out anti-poaching duties. It has employed 18 full time scouts patrolling 50 square kilometers around the Falls. With duties focused on removal of snares and apprehension of poachers, they seek to do away with this act of terror! VFAPU among other things, is also focused on the education of locals in the benefits of conserving natural resources.

Faced with the challenge of growing the odds of conservation in a country devoid of socio-economic stability, VFAPU have sought to rise the wildlife industry from the ashes and forge on, all in belief that their work is not in vain!

These two units are just but a small representation of various organisations running anti-poaching units within a larger framework. These two are but testimony to what the wildlife industry is all about, the wildlife. Despite their numbers or sizes of their pockets, they are before the elephant's eyes, guardian angels :)

Anti- Poaching Rangers: Soldiers In Combat; The War Is Real

Odd title you might say...but what if i told you that rangers and soldiers are not all that different, only that their battles are. Rangers exist to fight poachers, soldiers fight for protection of a country. Now does it make sense? There's one problem though, both these men and women go through the same torturous battle but only one is geared up to survive. Know which one? That's right....the soldier!

Rangers go into battle everyday putting their lives in the line for the protection of our beloved wildlife but one thing remains...they are only to fire in self defense and as a last resort! Only in the likely scenario that a poacher pulls out fire is a ranger allowed to shoot back. They are to engage in pursuit and arrest, shooting them should only come second to none. Needless to say, killing another human being should never come naturally...it is at the end of the day..murder and with it comes consequences. The death of even one poacher results in hard investigation by police putting strain on
the ranger that may lead to he or she always being on the defensive!

As i pointed out yesterday, poachers, just like rangers are men out to feed their families. They are just a small but crucial part of  highly organized crime networks which has made it all impossible to fight it! Just like a supply chain, poaching has to be fought from the root up! The ring leaders and brains behind these criminal activities are the real villains of the story! That's why bringing in poachers alive is crucial to every ranger because it means this chain can be tracked down and be fully abolished! If even one poacher is killed, an entire network might never be found and the battle is in vain!

Rangers face various difficulty in combat...in fact, these same wildlife they protect could at any moment turn on them! They also face harsh working conditions whenever they go out in battle. The temperatures may not be all favoring but they have to do their work tirelessly. Rangers endure torturous ordeals such as the encounter of mutilated bodies of the wildlife they so passionately protect. These encounters remind them of their shortcomings and can lead to feelings of anger and frustration. The worst kind of torture they undergo, just like a soldier, is the loss of a fellow ranger. The feeling of loss and helplessness bottled inside leads to post traumatic stress that if not addressed could lead to terminal conditions.

Many rangers have gone into the battle field never to arise again. Killed in the line of duty, these men and women leave behind loved ones. Some of their families face an unlikely future as death has robbed them of their bread winner. These and many other situations in the lives of these brave men and women are not to be taken lightly. It is because of their endless effort that endangered animals such as elephants live to see another day. With inadequate equipment, training or pay, these men and women in their pursuit for justice, battle this evil even unto death!

These men and women come to face with fear but put on the armour of courage for the protection of wildlife. They risk their lives and undergo strenuous levels of frustration but still face another day in the battle field. No amount of words can be said to these men and women to show our gratitude. We can only pray that they live to see another day. We can only help support the battle because the war is indeed real!

*Dedicated to the brave men and women in combat for the protection of wildlife.

Anti-Poaching Organizations: Fighting Behind Enemy Lines

Yesterday i spoke on poaching and the evil trade that it is. Today, i want to draw your attention to those organizations that focus primarily on defeating the elephants' enemies through campaigns. Yes...the poachers worst nightmare...anti-poaching organizations! I have identified specifically five of them working effortlessly to keep the elephants alive. They go everyday on the battle field, and a dangerous one at that because they have to learn to beat the poachers at their own game...they quite literally fight behind enemy lines. Let's get to know these brave ones, shall we?

1. Bloody Ivory Campaign
This campaign born out of the Born Free Foundation (no pun intended ;) ) is focused on stopping the ivory trade through a campaign where people all over the world can sign petitions that will assist in curbing this issue. It also highlights the plight of Babile Elephant Sanctuary in Ethiopia and encourages donations to the Foundation. Its campaign is focused on addressing the enforcement of strong laws at national and international levels for the effective conviction and disruption of trade networks. It also seeks to advocate for the closure of domestic markets as par the instituted ban by CITES (The United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and in addition, educate consumers to stem the demand for ivory. If that won't save them, i don't know what will!

2. Ivory For Elephants (IFE)
IFE is a registered charity that comprises of a team of marketing and advertising professionals that are passionate about saving the elephant. Testament to the phrase YOLO (You Only Live Once), these people have focused their energies on helping to elephants live another day! Their focus is on raising awareness on the plight of elephants through its supporting partners to the public. It seeks to perform among many things, the education of ivory consumers on the effects of the trade on elephant populations. It also is in the process of creating a mass of support from celebrities,  influential individuals, corporations, government institutions and last but not definitely least, the youth. This is they do to help stop the trade by using the power of the social and traditional media to spread the word to reach as many people as possible. They create engaging educational print and online media products and also seek to develop a comprehensive database of supporters. They  secure company sponsorships for on-ground projects and generate funds from individual and corporate sponsors. See...a lot can be done for the elephant!

3. IWORRY Campaign
A campaign created by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in 2012, IWORRY is indeed the answer to all elephants worries. :) It exists to raise awareness the threats facing the elephant. It specifically calls for world governments to strengthen and implement laws against wildlife crime, completely ban domestic and international ivory trade, destroy all ivory stock piles including those confiscated, invest in border-force training for personnel including provision of equipment for the better identification of illegal wildlife products and resources for combating wildlife crime, investment into the personnel and tackling of corruption linked to the trade. IWORRY utilises social media to make statements, make petitions, use imagery, perform press and public marches...all to create awareness the impact of the ivory trade. Talk about 'worrying' our hearts out! :)

4. International Fund For Animal Welfare (IFAW)
IFAW is quite literally as said in super hero cartoons 'to the rescue!' Specifically, IFAW is involved in the rescue of animals such as elephants through not only protecting its habitat but also protecting them against poaching. IFAW, established in 1969 was involved in events that saw the destruction of ivory stockpiles and presently campaigns against any future sales of stockpiles. It conducts behaviour change communication campaigns in consumer countries and provides training of anti-poaching experts in several countries.  Quite shocking is that ivory buyers are unaware of the adverse impact of the trade. In fact, a survey done in China indicated that about 70% of the public did not know that ivory came from dead elephants but rather that it fell out naturally like teeth! Go figure??!!

5. Born Free Foundation
The Born Free Foundation as highlighted above is an international wildlife charity established in 1984 by actors Bill Travers, Virginia McKenna and their son Will Travers having starred in the film... you guessed right, Born Free! Its focus is on stopping the individual suffering of wild animals and the protection of threatened species. Born Free quite literally never forgets an individual and focuses on rescuing, providing and caring for animals. With an enormous track record, they are presently involved in the sponsorship of an anti-poaching team in Park W in Burkina Faso known as Team Elephant. It is composed of 24 rangers and a number of volunteers in the business of protecting elephants over a 2500 square km radius. Only one problem...the trouble makers are a matter of fact...highly organized criminal gangs out for blood! This has been attributed to the increase in poaching crisis in the West and Central African regions where no more than 7000 elephants fight to survive!

Unfortunately, with a death toll of about 30,000 elephants a year, the remaining population of less than 700,000 African elephants are running out of time! Like these organizations, we need to take the bull by its horns! We need to help fight the war on poaching and the ivory trade. I cannot emphasize this enough...spread the word, sign a petition, fund an organization!
Can i count on you to help fight the enemy?

Elephant Poaching: An Out of Control Trade In An Out Of Control World

It just dawned on me that probably a number of you, my dear readers, may not be fully aware of how horrifically tragic the death of an elephant is to its family. As i had stated, elephants are emotional beings and their social balance depends much on well, their togetherness. So even one member of the herd is killed, its entire family will never be the same again. Unlike real human families who get through  tragic loss, elephants have a hard time 'putting Humpty Dumpty together again' so to speak.

Poaching is the biggest threat to elephants in this era. Its said that every fifteen minutes an elephant is killed in Africa. This means that poachers are killing these animals way more than there are being born! If this wasn't urgent before, it is now! Several organizations the world over are working to find ways of preventing this cruel trade. However, the fuel for this problem lies in corrupt ways and means. Now this is one fire that cannot be put out just by water!

The source of the demand for ivory is known yet nothing or rather nothing tangible has yet to be done. We might not be able to tap into this source but we can help reduce the act itself. Poaching is just like any other business. There are sellers and there are buyers. There are middlemen and there are investors. Then there are those who do the dirty job...the poachers! These are people like you and me looking to feed their families, all in a day's work. The only difference is that we can sleep at night knowing we haven't performed the heinous act. Right?...Wrong! These people just like us are looking for the easy way out. Out of where exactly you might ask?

The world is full of corrupt means and ways they say, but  where do you think it comes from? Them? Who's them? The governments? But isn't the government made up of people like you and me?  Pardon me if am being philosophical here but i believe the only way to fight heinous acts such as poaching lit by fires such as corruption is to tap the root and that is, gain. Isn't this whole war about material gain?

Power and wealth are two of the most sought for 'gains'. Everyone seeks to have either one or both of these. And as long as this 'war' for power and wealth is still ongoing, the battle is still on. The only way to save our dear elephants from tragic extinction lies in reaching from the source and working our way up. Tracking down and putting poachers behinds bars doesn't do away with the problem, it just postpones it. Have you asked yourself why there has been an increase in elephant poaching over the past few years, even with the ban of the trade over twenty years ago? Just as a rich man always seeks more riches, the trade for ivory will only increase unless completely abolished.

So who do we blame? The buyer or the seller, the middleman or investor? Or do we just speak in hashed tones and pretend we care because this issue does not affect us directly? Unfortunately it does. Ecosystems depends on the survival of this animal. We depend on these ecosystems. Thus its role in this world is not minimal at all.We have to stop this trade and we can do this simply through small acts of kindness. Spread the word. Sign a petition. Fund an organization. These may seem small, but they have moved mountains in the past.

Will you help me and many others stop this out of control trade despite our out of control world? :)

Circus Elephants: Putting On A Good Show But At A Price

Today, i thought i should take a break from talking about the good guys just for today, and talk about something really important... something i should have talked about before. To start off, i'll ask a few questions. Okay? Here goes...

Have you even been to a circus? No? Have you seen one then? Yes? Did you see it in a show on TV? Yes? What's the first thing you saw or realized? Did you see animals? Yes? Did you see an elephant? Yes? What was it doing or rather what was it being done to? Have i painted a clear picture now?

Circus elephants are just that, elephants. But what makes them different? Is it that they are trained to put on a good show or is it how they are trained? The circus entertainment industry has attracted a lot of bad media over the years. With animal activists lashing at their cruel ways, they have sought to change their ways. Or have they?

The circus was started way back in the 1700s and mostly uses circus animals to entertain including clown and acrobatic acts. It has since been a favorite to many. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, heard of it? I bet you've heard of them and the show, 'The Greatest Show On Earth'.  They, far more than others have received bad press and have been sued by animal groups over their supposed cruelty to Asian elephants. They however in a complete turn of events sued the activists when it was learnt that corrupt means were used. Nevertheless, we cannot fail to notice that there has been a history of cruelty to animals in the circus, and elephants have not been an exception.

Are you familiar with one famous circus elephant Jumbo? He was the first ever African elephant to be shipped into Europe alive in 1862. His was a story of how elephants close interaction with humans can be good but still end up in fatality. Despite the life he led entertaining people all over the world, his death was a tragic loss at 24 years of age  (i don't need to tell you that is a very young age) in 1885. The life he led was not that which was intended for him as a normal African male elephant would. With his intelligence and the serenity that comes with elephants, he lived well among the humans but like any other wild animal, he often expressed anger which would cause harm. This is one story that teaches us that as much as elephants can learn to live and obey humans, they are born with an inner sense of freedom that not even the strongest man can fight against.

Thousands of elephants around the world just like 'Jumbo' are captives in their own land. They may not be circus elephants but are trained to perform strenuous tasks all for man's pleasure. Whether through carrying logs, entertaining people or ferrying tourists on their backs. These acts may appear harmless at first but the actions that go into actually having them do these acts could be considered harmful. Some sanctuaries as i had highlighted have a more humane training program that helps us interacts with these animals. This is just one among the many that practice this in good faith. How many elephants out there are being used for purposes not intended for them? Shouldn't we let them be? Is there a way we can enjoy these creatures without necessarily quote and quote ''using'' them?

Circuses are just one of the ways that elephants are being used for the ''good'' of the people. Do we think about the ''good'' for them? Let's put this in thought the next time you visit a circus and see how well the elephant entertains you. Ask yourself one question, is it putting on a good show at a price?
I rest my case.

Elephant Trusts, Charities and Foundations: All For One, One For All

Last week, i touched lightly on the topic of foundations and trusts that have been on the forefront of the conservation of wildlife. I spoke of WWF and AWF as major organisations working for not only the African wildlife but also for the entire wildlife population. I also spoke of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust which as we know is the world's most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program. This trust was granted charitable status in 2004 as a Charitable Company in the UK. In today's post, I focus on other trusts, charities and foundations working for the elephant around the world. I highlight five more first within Africa, in Asia and then the world.

1. Amboseli Trust For Elephants
Established by Dr. Cynthia Moss, the Amboseli Trust For Elephants is a not-for-profit trust on the forefront of elephant conservation and management with a focus on the Amboseli National Park elephants and surrounding ecosystems. In 1972, Dr. Moss founded the Amboseli Elephant Research Project making these elephants the longest studied populations in the world! The Trust also owns an endowment fund known as the African Elephant Conservation Trust whose objective is to ensure the continuation of elephant research through funding its projects.

2. Save The Elephants
Established over twenty years ago by Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Save the Elephants organisation is a UK registered charity and a force to reckon with in their plight to secure the future for elephants and sustain the ecological integrity of the places they live in. Through the set up of a long term study in Samburu, Northern Kenya, Mr. Douglas-Hamilton has nurtured a new generation of researchers and conservationists from the local area and around the world. The organisation focuses on the protection, research, awareness and study of human-elephant conflict.

3. Elephants For Africa
Founded by Dr. Kate Evans, Elephant for Africa is a registered charity in England and Wales committed to the protection of the African elephants. Together with her team, they have set up camp in Botswana and South Africa to conduct research on the ecological and social requirements of African elephants to help them understand the human-elephant conflict. With the help of local and international researchers, they deliver scientific data to local decision makers and run education programs to develop future conservation leaders.

4. Elephant Family
Elephant Family is a registered charity in England that focuses on the protection of the Asian elephants and their habitats. Founded by five conservationists who developed friendships with orphaned elephants, they have sought through experience to highlight the plight of this endangered species and to work through its conservation.They seek to lobby governments to take action, generate support from the human population, grow the local conservation movements through training and education, financially empower non-governmental organisations and secure sufficient funding for the programme.

5. International Elephant Foundation
IEF is a non-profit charitable bona fide organisation that is all for the elephant. It was founded by Michael Fouraker, the Executive Director of Fort Worth Zoo and is focused on the conservation of both the African and Asian elephant worldwide. With a proven track record, the IEF supports and operates elephant conservation and education programs in managed facilities and in the wild. Its emphasis is on management, protection and scientific research.

These five organisations are just a small representative of a larger group working for the conservation of the elephant. This goes to show how the spirit of unity can help save lives...indeed, as spoken by Alexandre Dumas in The Three Musketteers,   "All for one and One for all". :)

Elephant Sanctuaries: Refuge For The Captive

Last week i spoke on the elephants heroes. Among this group was those people who establish elephant sanctuaries. Sanctuaries as you may be aware, perform the rescue and care of animals and in this case, endangered animals. I highlighted the work done by David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. I would like to introduce you to a few more of these heroes. Here goes... *Drum rolls please*

1. The Elephant Sanctuary, Tennessee US
This sanctuary was founded as a not-for profit organisation in Tennessee in 1995. It is the largest of its kind in the nation for the protection of specifically the female African and Asian elephants. The elephants are individually cared for and provided with a safe haven. Therefore as a true sanctuary is, it is not open to the public.

It is designed specifically for old, sickly or needy elephants retired from zoos and circuses. The sanctuaries outreach program has been responsible for the teaching of thousands of school children around the country on the importance of wildlife.

2. Elephant Nature Park, Thailand, Bangkok
Elephant Nature Park is a project established in Northern Thailand in 1990. It is a rescue and rehabilitation center for elephants specifically. It has gained enormous press coverage and has been featured in National Geographic due to its volunteer opportunities where volunteers come out to help care for these animals.

3.  Elephant Sanctuary, South Africa
The Elephant Sanctuary South Africa established in 1999 has three  sanctuaries across three provinces; Plettenberg Bay, Hartbeespoortdam and Hazyview. Home to 12 African elephants, this sanctuary has successfully domesticated these animals through a positive reinforcement animal management strategy. Visitors are thus allowed to interact with the animal by hand-in-trunk walks, feeding and touch. The sanctuary offers daily tours and a magnificent experience to match.

4. Volunteer Cambodia Elephant Sanctuary, Cambodia, South East Asia
The Cambodia Elephant Sanctuary is located in a secluded forest area and houses 12 rescued elephants. Since Cambodia is least disturbed by tourism, it offers a safe haven for these animals. This program is specially suited for the elephants need of space and being away from human activity. Volunteers are dedicated to taking care of these animals. This project helps not only the animals but also the people it employs; the elephant keepers (mahout).

5. Thailand Elephant Sanctuary, Thailand, Bangkok
A sister project to the Cambodia Elephant Sanctuary, the Thailand Elephant Sanctuary is a refuge for approximately 10 of these domesticated elephants. Elephant keepers are assisted by volunteers who do hands-on duties of caring for these animals.  It offers a serene environment as it is surrounded by a dense forest and national parks.

These five elephant sanctuaries are but a select few. Many other sanctuaries exist where previously captive elephants are rescued and cared for. These and many other actions across the world show that there is indeed 'humane-ity' in humanity. :)