Thankfully, there are organizations that go above and beyond to help elephants and are doing everything they can to make sure this species is not wiped off the face of the earth within our lifetime. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT), for example, is an organization that takes in orphaned baby elephants. DSWT staff provide emotional support for elephants, make sure they are fed and hydrated, and pretty much teach them everything they need to know about being an elephant. Many of the elephants that are rescued by DSWT come from terrible situations. Some are extremely weak and emaciated, some witnessed the deaths of their parents, and some have just been having a tough time surviving in the wild.
Sana Sana, is an elephant who was recently rescued by DSWT. The staff at DSWT heard about her situation from the team at Namunyak Conservancy in northern Kenya. Apparently, Sana Sana would frequently visit the conservancy and rest near their facility. When DSWT saw her condition, it suddenly became obvious why this elephant would come and seek shelter near humans. She had been mauled by a hyena, had a nasty wound under her tail, and seemed generally lonely and exhausted. At first, there was a bit of a dispute between the conservancy and DSWT. The conservancy wanted to keep Sana Sana nearby and eventually assimilate her back into the wild. DSWT was less optimistic about that plan and felt that the sweet elephant would be better off under their care. Eventually, it was decided that Sana Sana would be transported to DSWT headquarters for permanent residence.
We’ll never know whether Sana Sana would have made it on her own in the wild. However, by the look of gratitude on her face, she seems very happy to be heading home with the DSWT staff. Somehow she knows she’s in safe hands. Elephants can be so perceptive!
37 Baby Elephants Now Headed for Zoos in China. Earlier this year in Zimbabwe, thirty-seven baby elephants were captured, stolen from their families,and brought to a holding facility in Hwange National Park. They have been sold to zoos and safari parks in China, and are currently awaiting shipment. Two baby elephants have already died of starvation and neglect.
Despite worldwide efforts to stop previous live captures from African nations for Chinese and United States zoos, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Water and Climate, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, makes no apologies for the sale and capture of baby elephants, and has plans to sell off more of Zimbabwe’s wildlife to China “without hesitation.”
There was public speculation in September that the baby elephants had been captured for export to China, but the government’s national park and wildlife management authority denied it, saying the elephants were being trans-located within the region under a “wildlife drought mitigation strategy.” This has proven to be entirely false, as China continues to purchase Zimbabwe’s wild animals.
In Defense of Animals sent out a Press Release at the end of September, to help garner more media attention on this heartbreaking fate for elephants destined, yet again, for China’s growing zoo industry.
According to a recent article, the elephants in the capture facility near Hwange’s Main Camp are strictly off limits to both the public and researchers in the park, and there are rumours that some may be moved to a remote location in Chizarira National Park to further conceal the actions surrounding their imminent transportation.
Apparently this operation is being driven from the President’s office, which makes Zimbabwe’s citizens fear for their safety if they speak out against the authorities. Livelihoods, and lives could be at stake.
“This is big money and a very vindictive group of people running this operation,” said one source.”
This is absolutely heartbreaking news for elephants, with likely more to come, as China has 200 juvenile elephants “on order” with Zimbabwe over the next five years.
In the 197Os, over 7OO tons of illegal ivory was leaving Africa every year.
That’s over 7O,OOO elephants.[1]
And a rising demand for ivory in China has caused the slaughter of elephants to SKYROCKET. Now more elephants are being killed than are being born.
As long as the ivory trade continues to flourish, elephants could become extinct by 2O2O.
Elephant poaching is a worldwide epidemic:
• Mozambique and Tanzania lost 60% of their elephants in just 5 years
• The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic have lost nearly their entire elephant populations
• Sudan, Zimbabwe and Gabon have seen significant increases in elephant poaching
Without taking action, there’s no way poachers are going to stop their brutal massacre.
Instead, we’ll lose the elephants forever.
That’s why we need you with us. Please sign your name to help stop the slaughter of elephants: http://go.saveanimalsfacingextinction.org/Save-The-Elephants
Rescue Team Builds Ingenious Structure to Help Injured Wild Elephant Recover From a Broken Leg |
 Tamiyoi's Rescue | ||
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Siddha was found by locals wading in the Arkavathy River in Magadi, Ramanagara. According to Geeta Seshamani, co-founder of Wildlife SOS, “Wildlife SOS has been assisting with medical care and treatment of Sidda with the permission of the Karnataka Forest Department and Chief Wildlife Warden.” This is significant, especially considering the dwindling population of Asian elephants because traditional conservationists would typically believe that an elephant like Sidda should be left to fight his own battles. Since his rescue, Wildlife SOS, Karnataka Forest Department, and the locals have all shown Sidda their support as he receives round-the-clock veterinary care.
Sidda spent a month in the river before rescue efforts began. It’s likely that he chose this spot to take pressure off his broken leg.
Shirley and Jenny: Two Elephants Reunited After More Than 20 Years
| Thor is born to Ex-orphan Thoma |
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