Posted on 08/12/2015 11:01:47 PM PDT by OrthodoxIndianCatholic
This is with regard to "Elephant Poaching haunts Kerala" by Ramesh Babu, Hindustan Times, Mumbai Page 8 HT - Nation July 6, 2015.
Kerala in Southern India is God's Own Country. It is home to 3,520 Wild Elephants who live in protected areas in various parts of the State.
Just a week back, it was discovered that at least 10-20 Wild Elephants or more were slaughtered for their tusks by ivory poachers in various forests in Kerala in collusion with corrupt forest officials.
This is terrible news for "Elephant Lovers" and for all "Wildlife Lovers".
Periyar and Parambikulam Tiger Reserves have scores of wild elephants in Kerala but all of them are now at the mercy of poachers.
This is similar to what happened in the State of Orissa in Eastern India in April 2010 and May 2010 respectively. Between 20-40 Wild Elephants were slaughtered en masse by organized poacher gangs in Similipal Biosphere Reserve in Mayurbhanj District.
Because of the remote wilderness that surrounds Similipal Biosphere Reserve, the actual number of pachyderms slaughtered was never revealed.
There is gross indifference on the part of Forest Officials in many parts of India with regard to saving and protecting "Wild Elephants".
When will anyone stand up and take a stand against "Elephant Poaching" ??
Additional Credits and References :
100 elephants killed in 2 years across south
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/100-elephants-killed-in-2-years-across-south/articleshow/48460443.cms
Greetings.
All these years, "Gruesome Stories" regarding the mass slaughter and poaching of elephants have emerged from various parts of Africa specifically Central Africa but never from India.
Now, it seems that the Forests of South India have become a "Virtual Graveyard" for Elephant Families.
Elephants in their dozens have been murdered by 'organized poacher gangs' only because of the sudden spurt in the demand for Ivory and Ivory Derivatives.
In the past 2 years, at least 100 Elephants were slaughtered for their ivory in protected areas particularly in the Southern Indian States of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
When will this all end ?? Is there a future for "Elephant Families" in the Forests of South India given this "Poaching Frenzy" ??
I think elephants are incredible and people need to stop buying ivory....I know ...easier said than done. Sorry to hear this is happening in India.
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