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Elephants are being slaughtered in unprecedented numbers and if it continues experts predict they will be extinct in the wild within 20 years. They are killed for their ivory tusks. This ivory isn’t used to create anything necessary, it is used to flaunt wealth. Elephants are being slaughtered out of existence so the ignorant rich can say, “Look what I have! See how wealthy I am?”
- Poachers are killing the wildlife and stealing the ecological heritage from all Africans. Many African countries depend on wildlife tourism.
“The illegal trade threatens to wipe out the natural endowment of affected nations by depriving future generations of their heritage, and of their right to develop those resources in legitimate ways. Ladies and gentlemen, it is wrong that children growing up in countries vulnerable to wildlife crime are losing their birthright in order to fuel the greed of international criminals, and that those children will face greater hardship and insecurity as this crime traps them in poverty.” The Duke of Cambridge’s speech on the illegal wildlife trade at the World Bank, Washington D.C., USA
- Elephant poaching is a threat to international security and the stability of African countries. The illegal ivory trade is easy money for terrorist groups, armed militias and other criminal syndicates. CITES calculates that the illegal wildlife trade generates around $20 billion dollars annually.
“Indeed, it suits traffickers that areas rich in natural resources remain under-developed or conflict-ridden, so that they can go on plundering without restriction.” The Duke of Cambridge’s speech on the illegal wildlife trade at the World Bank, Washington D.C., USA
- On average 2 rangers are killed each week while protecting wildlife. 1,000 over the last 10 years.
Wildlife rangers — who tend to be incredibly knowledgeable about their environment and the ways of animals, but less so about infantry tactics — are wading into the bush to confront hardened soldiers. The New York Times
Rory Young instructs the rangers of Malawi on how to stay safe while apprehending heavily armed poachers.
- Africa’s ecosystems are already suffering because of the decrease in elephant numbers. The loss of forest elephants will devastate the Congo rain forest. It is the second largest rain forest in the world. Rain forests absorb billions of tons of carbon every year and slow the rate that carbon dioxide accumulates in the atmosphere. Elephants, the ecosystem’s engineers, gardeners and architects
- Elephants are an incredible species.
To Richard Ruggiero, the situation is nothing short of the genocide of an animal that mourns its dead, loves its young and suffers emotionally.”I am convinced many, if not most, know that people are trying to kill every last one of them and that they emotionally suffer because of it, and I can see it in their behavior,” he said. “I am sure that they feel that and that they know it. That people are committing a genocide on them, and most of them even know it’s for their teeth.” Veteran USFWS official serves as U.S. eyes, ears in poaching crackdown
Chengeta Wildlife is a nonprofit run by volunteers. We give free anti-poaching training to rangers all over the African continent. We teach them how to safely apprehend poachers and traffickers of wildlife products. Click on this link if you would like to learn more or donate to our current fundraiser. Take a Stand for African Elephants and Rhinos
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