- checking login information
Loading...Half of Republic of Congo’s Forest Elephants Killed in Past Five Years
Written by Matt McDermott
From 2006-2011 over half of the forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) in Central Africa have been killed by poachers, Wildlife Conservation Society reports.
At the start of the period, there were 13,000 forest elephants around the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo, but as of last year only 6,300 remain, living in an area the size of Rhode Island.
The only good news in this is that within the park and in surrounding areas managed under Forest Stewardship Council guidelines, both patrolled by rangers, is that the elephant population remains stable. This area is “becoming the last stronghold for the entire species,” according to the director of WCS’s Republic of Congo program.
WCS explains the origins of the poaching:
The illegal ivory trade drives the precipitous decline of forest elephants in the Republic of Congo and across the Congo Basin. Part of a huge wave of international organized crime that links trafficking in humans, wildlife, and drugs and weapons, the illegal ivory trade delivers big payoffs to ivory traffickers at all levels along the chain. Other factors contributing to the slaughter of elephants include access to formerly impenetrable tracts of rainforest through new roads in the region and the proliferation of arms such as AK-47 rifles. It is now recognized that even well-protected areas in Africa are under enormous pressure and must be better protected immediately.
African forest elephants, smaller than the more commonly known savannah elephant, are now considered a separate species.
African forest elephants are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
This post was originally published on Treehugger.
Related Stories:
Zoos Make Hard Choices to Protect Endangered Species
Elephant Who Killed Keeper Was Also a Victim
Thai Government Said to Slaughter Elephants to Steal Their Babies
Read more: africa, elephants, endangered species, republic of congo, treehugger
Photo from James Hopkirk via flickr
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
Recent Comments from Causes
Cute.
He grew out to be a beautiful cat ! Heartwarming story !
james, you said: "dietary belief? that's a pc way of saying animal abuse. Like I said, the extreme defensiveness…
meet our writers
151 comments
+ add your ownThank you TreeHugger, for Sharing this!
Alex B I couldn't agree with you more.. What a good idea!!!
Such a tragedy! :(
It's such a shame.
sad news but thanks for sharing
Wasn't it Einstein who said something to the effect of---
A person is insane if they keep repeating the same behavior and expect different results... Well you get the jist... WE HAVE NOT LEARNED FROM ANY MISTAKES THE PREVIOUS GENERATIONS MADE. We think we can abuse & use to our benefit & pleasure without it impacting others.
this is so aweful why can't these organisation whom work for the protection of elephant just turn to hiring armed soliders to protect these vunerable creatures. Cause whatever their doing isn't working!
I wish poaching could be classified a killing offense...
I wish poaching could be classified a killing offense...
When will they ever learn?
login to add your comment
use your care2 login
add your comment