Elephant numbers plunge in Mozambique because of poachers

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Conservationists say the elephant population in Mozambique has dropped nearly 50 percent in the last five years because of poaching, but cite good news from Uganda, where the elephant population is increasing.

Poachers have slaughtered tens of thousands of African elephants in recent years to meet demand for ivory, particularly in China. Conservationists and governments have collaborated on an aerial, continent-wide census of elephants to better marshal efforts to protect wildlife.

The New York City-based Wildlife Conservation Society was involved in the Mozambique and Uganda counts.

The group said this week that the number of elephants in Mozambique had dropped from just over 20,000 five years ago to about 10,300. However, it says elephant numbers in Uganda have increased to more than 5,000 from fewer than 1,000 decades ago.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/d5eb28490aab43b3ab720ca56efa6cf2/elephant-numbers-plunge-mozambique-because-poachers

[logosoco]

1. This just breaks my heart.

It is good to hear that things are better for the elephants in Uganda. I can understand that, since there is a demand, this is a way for the people there to make a living. It would be great if the US, along with others, would put pressure on China for this. This, combined with how so many workers are treated there, and their lax environmental regulations, I think we need to be more strict with how we deal with China. (oh, that's right, we can't because we owe them money. Getting into that was short sighted!).

Elephants are majestic creatures and they have just as much rights to exist as people do. I know Tanzania has tried to turn things around by making safaris where people can go and see the elephants a way for locals to make a living without having to kill the animals. But as long as there is demand for ivory in the world market, it will be met by someone needing money.

[Duppers]

4. Yes, one word: China.

Thanks for your post.

[swilton]

2. I don't believe that 'putting pressure on China' is the answer

This kind of 'holier than thou' approach is condescending and wreaks of Western chauvinism. Those countries in the global south where the endangered biota exist have every right to sell off their commons to the highest bidders; after all they are poor and are trying to play catch up to the global north. I prefer a global community approach that recognizes endangered species as a global commons. All of these countries with rhinos, elephants, anteaters, whatever should be subsidized to nurture these species and save them not just for the present but for the future of the world's grandchildren.

[GliderGuider]

3. It's not just elephants.

It's ALL wildlife.