POACHING ON THE INCREASE
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Sep 14 2008 | By: elephantsofbotswana
Recent reports of elephants being poached for ivory in Botswana has caused alarm in a country which has enjoyed a peaceful past. The price of Ivory has increased recently, fuelling the poaching in Africa. In July of this year the Criminal Investigation Department of Botswana confirmed that they are following leads that may lead to the arrest of a criminal syndicate that specializes in illegal ivory operating in the Chobe area. We are awaiting the outcome.
At the beginning of the year a carcass was found to the west of camp where the tusks had been chopped out; we could not conclude if the elephant was killed by poachers or if they happened to come across the elephant and saw an opportunity. Either way the reality is is that those tusks have now joined the illegal ivory cache and have probably found their way onto the black market.
We now know over 600 male elephants that utilise the study area and each and every day I wonder what has become of those that I have not seen for a while! It is always a relief when I see individuals again and know that they are OK. I keep those that I have not seen for a few years in our ID sheets in the hope that they will return once more. I cannot bear to think that they have been killed for ivory, for their tusks. It makes me more resolute to carry on with the research and hopefully offer them some protection.
Kate
Tags: elephant, ivory, poaching
-
Hi, I am Kate Evans, or more commonly known as Elephant Kate. I am a zoologist whose great love is elephants. Since 2002 I have been living my dream by researching elephants in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. I decided I was going to be an elephant researcher when I was seven. I was living in Asia at the time and visited the elephant orphanage in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It was there that I made up my mind I was going to work for these majestic and intelligent animals. I made a promise to an elephant and we all know an elephant never forgets!!!! It took me 20 years to finally realise my dream and start my life as an elephant researcher. It was 20 years well spent and now I have to pinch myself most days to make sure it is true and I am living my dream.
I now head up a team who are researching the elephants and trying to work out the social and ecological needs of the largest remaining population of the African elephant. From time to time, other team members will add their thoughts and experiences. I love sharing my experiences - so I hope that this blog is a medium through which you will be able to join the elephants and I on our adventures in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. -
100% of your donation, minus a small bank fee, will go to your intended purpose.
Donations made here are safe.
9 Responses to “POACHING ON THE INCREASE”
Poaching on the increase in Botswana « WildEles, on 14 Sep 2008
[…] September 14, 2008 by Wildeles from Wildlife Direct’s blog of Elephants of Botswana […]
Su Lees, on 14 Sep 2008
Awful news Kate, hope this terrible turn of events can be stemmed before it gets out of control.
TheTeach, on 14 Sep 2008
Kate,
Stay resolute! It was clear the butchers would move into Botswana at some point. Some of it is probably run-off from the disastrous situation in Zimbabwe. Elephants fleeing the killing fields there are moving into Zambia and Botswana for safety. As their presence is depleted, it will draw the killers to cross the borders as well. This “syndicate” you speak of is probably neck-deep in with the Chinese. They have a presence in Zimbabwe, courtesy of the Mugabe regime. He recently swapped ivory for arms with the Chinese. That shipment went out BEFORE the recent CITES one-off sale approval. I fear this is just the beginning. We may soon confront a situation like we saw back in the 80’s. And make no mistake, let’s place the blame squarely where it belongs: CHINA ! They are fuelling the new demand. When it comes to the survival of a species, I’m not going to be “politically correct” here. I call a spade a spade. Chinese demand is fuelling an upsurge in poaching all over Africa, including Kenya. Virunga’s herds are on the brink of extinction (less than 200 remain), Zakouma’s herds in Chad are now at severe risk due to civil war in that region. The list goes on. Botswana has been a safe haven for these animals for three decades. That status must persist. For you, I know this is personal, because you know these individual elephants “personally”. I’m sure that is the strongest motivator of all. Hang in there with the research but know that this may also be a fight. My students and I will support your work as we are able. Best Wishes & God Bless!
Amy, on 14 Sep 2008
We MUST get the word out about what’s happening to wildlife across Africa! I think most people, when they think of African elephants, think think there are too many of them. They don’t know about the increasing slaughter to feed China’s appetite for ivory.
Jo - Newcastle upon tyne, on 15 Sep 2008
Thanks for the report Kate, it hasn’t taken long since the CITES decision for poaching to increase has it. It makes me sick everytime I hear of another elephant being killed another baby being orphaned. People just don’t think about the repercussions or where ivory comes from! Keep your good work, you have a brilliant job.
TheTeach, on 18 Sep 2008
Kate,
Check your blog programming. Some comments, including mine, on this blog, are not being registered. Despite leaving feedback, the heading below your entry continues to say “No responses”. Hope you find this and discover the problem. Of course, you won’t know to click and see since it will say “No Responses.” Arghhh!!! People may be leaving feedback on other blog entries, but you don’t know its there because it’s telling you there are “No responses” Good luck resolving the problem.
Sorry to hear about the poaching. I’m sending a check soon to the wildlifedirect office to support your work. It’s not much, but I know every cent counts. Hopefully, you guys can beef-up anti-poaching patrols. On another note, I recently saw an episode of “Wild Things” where a former elephant trainer had rescued some African elephants from Circuses. They were being re-introduced into the wilds of Okavango and were involved with tourism there. One of these elees had mated with a wild elephant and the result was a calf named Pula! Is that your Pula! The same elee? Best Wishes
Pirjo, on 28 Sep 2008
Hi Kate,
There are so many interesting sites on WildLifeDirect that I had just missed your site. I’m so grateful for all the work you amazing people do in Africa in order to save wildlife. I also love elephants and am worried for their safety, because poaching is on increase.
I will definitely start visiting this site more often and wish you all the best.
Kate Evans, on 28 Nov 2008
Thanks for all your support - it can be tough out here and at times like that we shall think of your support and keep going.
Kate
Rebecca, on 17 Aug 2009
I thoroughly agree with TheTeach on this - demand for wild animal parts throughout China is fueling the slaughter and extinction of so many species, not least the Elephant and the highly endangered tigers in India. It is nigh time the world took a real political stand on this unacceptable Chinese based massacre of animamls.
Trackback URI | Comments RSS
Leave a Reply