OF ELEPHANT AND RHINO POACHING; THE PAIN AND POACHERS

The pain an Elephant or Rhino has to endure to have its tusk or horn cut/removed by a poacher is out of this world. Poachers have graduated from use of arrows, pangas and snares to now power saws, grenades and sophisticated guns on choppers. 

Militants such as Janjaweed are said to benefit immensely from poaching. One day, they are alleged to have killed 26elephants in Dzanga-Ndoki National Park in Central African Republic. 

Kenya's no different as this week Dr.Leakey (Wildlife Direct founder) claimed that 25 Government officials in the Jubilee Government are engaged in illegal animal tusks trade. As much as the new anti-poaching law appears tough to an average poacher, it could be a walk in the park for poaching bigwigs, particularly if the Ksh.20M fine is to go by, given the fact that 6kg of rhino tusks can fetch about ksh.25M. 

However, a life sentence to a convicted poacher can turn a few tables if often applied. 2012, 2013 and 2014 have been the bloodiest years Africa conservation has seen.

 
Here is my 2bob collection of Poaching incidents in Africa the last 2Years:

 
- http://kijijimoja.blogspot.com/2014/03/wildlife-poaching-in-kenya-2014.html
- http://kijijimoja.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-pregnant-elephant-loses-life-to.html
- http://kijijimoja.blogspot.com/2013/11/suspected-poachers-killed-in-laikipia.html
- http://kijijimoja.blogspot.com/2013/03/another-black-rhino-loses-life-to.html
- http://kijijimoja.blogspot.com/2013/09/41-elephants-poisoned-by-poachers-in.html
- http://kijijimoja.blogspot.com/2013/06/another-elephant-killed-save-elephant.html
- http://kijijimoja.blogspot.com/2013/05/poachers-kill-26-elephants-at-sanctuary.html
- http://kijijimoja.blogspot.com/2013/05/breaking-biggest-elephant-massacres-in.html
- http://kijijimoja.blogspot.com/2013/04/gruesome-tragedy-as-another-elephant.html
- http://kijijimoja.blogspot.com/2013/03/breaking-news-from-bangkok.html
- http://kijijimoja.blogspot.com/2013/03/thai-prime-minister-pledges-to-end.html
- http://kijijimoja.blogspot.com/2012/09/world-rhino-day.html

ANOTHER ELEPHANT SHOT LAST NIGHT

Bonsai a 30 year-old-female Elephant was Saturday night (8th June,2013) shot by poachers at Buffalo Springs National Reserve. 

Save the Elephants posted "We're in shock at Save the Elephants at the loss of Bonsai. She was already from a shattered family whose matriarch, Ebony, was shot by poachers two years ago. Although she was still young Bonsai had taken over leadership of her group along with her sister Rosewood. The sisters had no other option. 

Bonsai leaves a three year-old (who was by her side when she was killed) and three more calves in the family. We think she was pregnant...Things have been moving in such a positive direction, but this new killing reminds us how there is to go. Please share widely - we need to keep up the momentum for change."

RiP Bonsai