Ivory Trade

[Lisbeth]

Horrible and such short tusks

[Flutterby]

Someone else was told that the elephant charged some traffic cops and they had to shoot it in self-defence, so very confused stories at the moment. Will have to wait for a confirmed report.

[nan]

oups
right Flutts... wait and see

[Flutterby]

It does seem as if elephant poaching has started in Kruger!

From SANParks FB page:

7/12 - Punda Maria - during a joint stop and search of vehicles moving in and out of the park, 3 suspects transporting two cut up tusks weighing approximately 80 kgs to Moz, were arrested. A fourth suspect, who alledgedy found and illegally picked up the tusks from a carcass close to Punda Maria, was later followed up and arrested - 3 of the suspects have thus far made confessions - investigations are continuing and all efforts are being made to locate the carcass which is believed to have died of natural causes.

[Flutterby]

SANParks can confirm that rangers in the Phalaborwa section of the KNP shot dead a charging elephant in an effort to protect themselves. The incident happened on Monday, 9 December 2013 at approximately 16:00. According to reports, a herd of elephants was charging at traffic officers on duty 3 kilometres from the Phalaborwa gate. The ranger who had been on guard fired warning shots to scare away the animals in which most moved away with the exception of the one elephant which was unfortunately shot dead.

It is common practice to try and fire warning shots to scare the animal before any other step is taken. In this instance human life was in danger and rangers had to act quickly as the animal could have attacked even more people. SANParks would like to render an apology to the public who have witnessed the incident or exposed to it via photographs on various platforms.

[mouseinthehouse]

That is so unfortunate. I have such respect for the rangers at Phalaborwa gate and I do hope Craig or Lourens weren't involved as like all rangers they would be incredibly upset at the outcome.

I hope they don't come in for any criticism.

[nan]

oups... indeed a sad story

[Richprins]

It does seem as if elephant poaching has started in Kruger!

From SANParks FB page:

7/12 - Punda Maria - during a joint stop and search of vehicles moving in and out of the park, 3 suspects transporting two cut up tusks weighing approximately 80 kgs to Moz, were arrested. A fourth suspect, who alledgedy found and illegally picked up the tusks from a carcass close to Punda Maria, was later followed up and arrested - 3 of the suspects have thus far made confessions - investigations are continuing and all efforts are being made to locate the carcass which is believed to have died of natural causes.

How can it be believed to have died of natural causes if there is no carcass yet?

Of course the "poachers" would say so! That is quite a lot of ivory!

[okie]

Quote :from Tim Condon's " Sustainable utilisation " latest newsletter :

Nelson Mandela, speaking at the handover of 1000 elephants on the border between South Africa and Mozambique in 2001, said in a world beset by division, he knows of no philosophy or ideology that does not agree with the Peace Park concept. "It promises to bring a better life to some of the poorest citizens of southern Africa… in many ways the project is a demonstrable manifestation of the African Renaissance," he stated at the time.

Unquote .


Hmmm... I wonder how many of those ellies are still alive

[Richprins]

The ellies in Northern Moz have largely been eliminated, okie!

But the Transfrontier Park is fine for the moment, as far as I know..a few incidents, often to do with elephants threatening villages!

But some poaching every now and again.

It is rainy season, so many move to the pans in the bush miles from anywhere!