The horror elephants face in India in one heartbreaking photo **graphic warning**

[Duppers]

Last edited Thu Nov 9, 2017, 01:32 PM - Edit history (1)

https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=&w=600

A mob in India throws flaming balls of tar and firecrackers at two petrified elephants. (Biplab Hazra/Sanctuary Wildlife Photography Awards/)
The back legs of the baby elephant are consumed by fire as it chases after its startled mother, screaming.

In the chilling photo, a flaming ball of tar — the source of the fire, along with a few hurled firecrackers — is frozen in the air as a crowd sprints away from the petrified pachyderms.

... “Hell Is Here” and snapped by Biplab Hazra — has shined a light on some of the darkest moments of the conflict between humans and elephants in India, whose lives increasingly overlap in what will soon be the world’s most populous nation.

More than 60 percent of the world’s Asian elephants live in India as its human population balloons...


https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/animalia/wp/2017/11/08/the-horror-elephants-face-in-india-in-one-heartbreaking-photo/



Edited to add **graphic warning** in subject line per request.

[mia]

1. Profound. n/t

[Bluepinky]

2. I hate seeing this. Humans can be so cruel.

I wish people could find a way to compromise with other animals in the world. Elephants are special, this makes me so sad.
😥

[Duppers]

3. It's heartbreaking, isn't it.

Our resources are finite and we cannot pretend they aren't.

To survive and share the planet, the solution is obvious: we must cut all populations via birth control (as vile as that thought is to many subcultures and religions).

[SergeStorms]

7. I wish humans....

the world over would learn about over-population and birth control. I suppose that's too much to ask for though.

[Glamrock]

4. The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated. - Mahatma Gandhi

[Duppers]

5. Truth

And ironic coming from a native of the country.

[Neema]

6. I immediately burst into tears when I saw this photo yesterday. I can't take it. I can't bear it.

I hate humans so fucking much. I really do. I can't even say anything else.

[Duppers]

10. I know exactly how you feel.

I've run out of tears but I do get so angry that I literally shake. I want people to wake the heck up. Not a day goes by that I do not curse human beings.

[Neema]

12. I do it more and more often.

We're destroying our planet and all of its amazing, beautiful living beings. For what?

[Jim Beard]

21. And the worst of it is, we know better. Not only animals but

ancient structures that have been destroyed by the Taliban and ISIS

[Neema]

26. We ought to know better. But apparently we don't.

Truth be told, though I have a degree in art history, if I have to choose I'd choose living animals over ancient structures. Not that we are getting a choice, both are being destroyed.

[liquid diamond]

16. I was sitting in Starbucks a few days ago when

I saw this photo and cursed out loud which isn’t like me. Humanity is a fucking virus to this planet.

[Duppers]

22. Indeed we are!

Thank you!

[JI7]

8. fucking scum

[madaboutharry]

9. It's heartbreaking to see this and

know how the must suffer. I don't understand cruelty.

[malaise]

11. There are many sick human beings on our planet

Too sad

[Coventina]

13. I would kill those people with my bare hands if I witnessed that.

Undoubtedly, they would kill me first, but that's the kind of rage this brings out in me.

I would tear them into pieces if I could.

I don't care what anyone says about that, I'm trashing this thread after I post this, because I cannot bear it.
It's beyond sickening.

And yes, I'm more outraged that it was done to elephants, than to humans. We humans kill each other because we are a violent species. It's part of being human. I wish we'd rise above it, but it doesn't seem that we are anytime soon.

But to visit that upon creatures who are NOT by nature, violent, and only turn to violence in dire need, there's simply no excuse.

I hate my species.

[Duppers]

15. You sound like me and my closest friends.

Overpopulation is the ultimate cause. The article mentions that India's population is crowding out the elephants and their habitat. People won't face the fact that having more than 1 child is a HUGE problem now.

If anyone wants to tell me we already have a negative population growth (had DUers tell me this), they must recognize it's not worldwide and it's not enough. And I'll add their ignorance and attitude is the problem. To them, I say 😤 .

[Neema]

20. Yep.

I don't want to live on a planet without elephants.

[Bayard]

17. Indeed

Comrades in arms. I have less mercy for these people than they have for these elephants. People keep encroaching on their habitats, but animals are expected to be the ones to go away. If they don't, they're killed. In this country, witness mountain lions, bear, wolves, and mustangs.

I can hardly look at photos like this anymore. It makes me violent. Obviously these particular people have been taught that this is okay, that elephants are pests with no value or feelings.

[Neema]

19. I feel exactly the same way. It enrages and devastates me.

I'm not a person who thinks human life is necessarily more valuable than animals. And, in fact, I'm starting to think humans are worse than cockroaches.

[Duppers]

25. You articulated my thoughts

And feelings far better than I do. Thank you!

[Neema]

18. I know you're not going to read this but I feel exactly the same way.

I love elephants with a deep passion. I was lucky enough to get to see them in the wild. And if I outlive my SO, I will spend the rest of my life volunteering at an elephant reserve somewhere as long as I have the strength. I only hope there are elephants to care for at that point.

[Duppers]

24. ...

[peacebuzzard]

14. Cant stop thinking about these poor innocent elephants

No doubt, starving to begin with, foraging through trash for something to eat.
Then, this nightmare of humans.
The horror of dominance over innocents.
Where is the mercy?

[Jim Beard]

23. India, what do we expect from a country where men are not punished for

gang raping women, often at the fathers request.