DRIVING THE ELEPHANT TO EXTINCTION?

February 17, 2014February 17, 2014 Jen

1979 – The elephant population was 1.3 million.

2014 – We see a figure of 500 000 being bandied about. How long will these soulful animals leave their footprints on the sand when a 100 are being slaughtered per day? Are elephants being poached faster than they can breed. One elephant every 15 minutes is being slaughtered for its personal treasure ‘white gold’. In layman’s terms: they are being slaughtered for their incisors. What sort of society are we a part of? Tragically, the illegal wildlife trade is enormous. Annually £12 billion ($20 billion US) worth of ill gotten gains is butchered from these sentient (my poem) creatures leaving the putrefying stench of rotting flesh in their wake. WHAT FOR?

95% of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s forests are devoid of elephants.’ What for? I know, I am repeating myself. Sadly what collectors call ‘white gold’ represents wealth and nobleness for the Chinese people. What does a tragic misconception like this mean to the elephants? DEATH. The lust for ivory that puts Chinese people in a class of their own is for these charismatic creatures, a death warrant. The bush, the elephants home has become a battlefield, and they are often slaughtered in the cruelest and most primitive ways.

Despite the global ban in 1989, the illegal ivory business is flourishing. Beijing’s ‘elephant graveyard’ shows how China is still in the driving seat, and these people hold the destiny of the African elephants in their hands. Hot on China’s heels is the USA who have now implemented a ban on commercial ivory which I hope will set a precedent for other countries to follow.

Hong Kong is a key transit point for ivory and other illegal wildlife entering from Africa on route to destinations which include Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan and Malaysia. Hong Kong has however declared it is in the forefront in the fight to halt the ivory trade, and has shown it’s support by announcing it will destroy 28 tonnes of seized ivory. This is all good news for elephants?

The ‘blood ivory’ trade has reached such alarming proportions that Governments from around the globe are being urged to go into ‘battle’ against the illegal trade. Prince Charles and Prince William hosted a two day summit in London last week which was attended by decision makers from 46 countries. I joined the throng of animal lovers outside to show our relief and support that this positive action had brought so many countries together.

Now, as an animal/elephant lover and as a responsible custodian of our wildlife, I want action, and we want it now before it is too late. I am hoping that this landmark agreement to halt wildlife trafficking is just a beginning. With so few elephants remaining, it is a fight we all need to concentrate on. Once these sentient beings are gone, they are gone. For those who can afford to buy ivory, take that money and go and visit the last few remaining countries where these magnificent creatures roam. Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe: to and see them in the wild and fall in love with them. You too can become a voice for the voiceless as we change our outlook on ivory. Fighting wildlife crime can no longer be viewed in isolation: some of it is linked to terrorism, which is funded by ‘blood ivory’. In many instances, it has become a case of killing elephants to fund killing people. To me, it all seems a little obscene.

You as a consumer, a thinking consumer can decide the fate of these soulful creatures: it is as easy as the choice TO BUY or NOT TO BUY. As a consumer of ivory, your demand for the product is responsible for not only the death of elephants, but also the collapse of elephant society brought on by extensive poaching. Elephants transmit elephant cultures from one generation to the next. Echoes of harmony are quickly lost as survivors of poaching incidents are left traumatised and rudderless. Elephants are close knit and emotional creatures with strong family bonds. What we see in behavioral patterns with elephants after a ‘genocide’ is frighteningly close to how humans react. Let us not be the ones who destroy this magnificent species.

WILL THE LONDON MEETING BRING CHANGE

February 10, 2014 Jen

Africa’s elephants, precious and vital to the environment are under continual attack. Each golden sunrise, extravagant and full of new promise reveals tragedies, that have sadly been dealt by human hands. The African bush, bewitchingly beautiful in winter ochre colours or luscious and bursting with life after the first rains has become a raw and violent battlefield for these sentient creatures. Elephants, one of the damned species of Africa have become like toys on the devils playground: destroyed and mutilated. It is time to change. (Please read the poem)

Elephant herds are suffering during these dark times of poaching: devastating their numbers and disrupting their society. Dame Daphne Sheldrick has described the suffering of the orphans that she has been hand-rearing as intense and terrible to witness. For elephants to be orphaned in such vast numbers by mankind’s insatiable greed for ivory points to a sad flaw in human nature. There is nothing a mother will not do for their child, and elephants are no different. Sadly, the largest living land mammals cannot pit their strength against man and his ‘weapons of destruction.’ Elephant cows, riddled with bullets, hearts pounding with fear, while dying an excruciating slow death have been known to try and shield their calves, who tragically have already been slaughtered. These poachers are ruthless: in Chad late last year 89 elephants were slaughtered and 30 of the cows were pregnant.

Every muscle in my body tightens, and my mind screams at me. THIS IS WRONG and it is UNACCEPTABLE. As human beings, can they not see that what they are doing is morally wrong. These magnificent and sentient creatures are more compassionate than these human predators that are wrecking such destruction and havoc. As humans, and supposedly thinking ones, let’s put an end to this horror. In 2012, some 35 000 elephants were cruelly slaughtered to feed the demand for ivory. With China and Thailand’s increasing affluence, as well as an expanding middle class elsewhere in Asia, the demand for ivory and rhino horn is out of control. Over the last decade, many rangers have been lost in their quest to protect the wildlife from this insatiable lust for ‘white gold.’

During the 1970’s and 1980’s poaching was at an all time high. The international community came together, united against the destruction and the harsh reality of what was facing these animals: Extinction. In 1989 an International ban on the ivory trade was approved by CITES. Poaching dropped dramatically, and black market prices for ivory slumped. The clouds of despair hanging low and heavy lifted as elephant numbers started to increase. The southern African states, particularly Zimbabwe and South Africa, wanted the legal and controlled trade to remain in place. Their argument was that Elephants should be paying their way, as the revenue generated from the sale of elephants and elephant products was being fed back into the system: helping to fund both conservation and local communities.

Save the elephant: Let ivory trade resume

1997: Led by Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, inset, four southern African states with substantial elephant populations – Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia and Botswana – get CITES to agree to a “one-off” sale of 50 tonnes of ivory. Britain goes along with it. Poaching rises.

2007-08: The same four African states get CITES to agree to another “one-off” sale, this time of 100 tonnes. Britain goes along, despite warnings that it will increase poaching. And China is allowed by CITES to become an official ivory buyer, in spite of harbouring the largest amount of illegal ivory. Britain goes along with it, despite warning this too will increase poaching, which soars.

Today, 10th February 2014, bigger, darker and more threatening storm clouds cast ominous shadows over the safety of our elephants. Deep currents of greed blow on the wind, as the wave upon wave of attacks on these animals are constant, not only threatening the survival of this species, but also a threat to world security. Big money has attracted organized crime syndicates: an ugly web of deceit, corruption and greed. Trading in ivory or ‘blood ivory’ has become a multi billion dollar industry and we are fighting against some big guns. The demand for ivory is killing the elephants, and these slaughters are funding terrorist activity, which in turn is killing humans.

People, what are we doing? Here is a paragraph written by a six year boy, who will be turning 7 in April. He is the son of a friend of mine who wrote down his thoughts about the killing of elephants after his mum explained what I am trying to do with my blog. I have written this word for word. He can see the destruction and if a six year old can: there is hope for all of us.

ELEPHANTS: by Kaian Nelson

‘Elephant’s are a wonderful thing letting us have sun. They are also a part of nature. People think that it isi’nt the real thing. You would not like it if you were killed. Men are cruel and ladies are cruel to. Men are cruel for killing the elephants and women are cruel for suportin men. The more you kill, the more water and lives you will lose. Medicine from horns : tut tut tut. If you want to live to 20 go for it and if you want your kid’s to live to 8 go for it. But if you want everybody to live to 98 then stop stop stop. It’s a life cycle round and round just like us stop stop it. I would not forgive you and neither will elephants. STOP.’

How lucky are the elephants to have this little guy on their side? A young spirit who will burn a path in conservation.

We as consumers hold the key. We can all participate in this fight against poaching. (Please read my poem.) Stop the demand for ivory and rhino horn. Together we can make sure that our magnificent elephants and rhinos DO NOT become a distant memory. Let us put a stop to the destruction and violence. The death tolls are huge.

ROMANCING THE BUSH

February 3, 2014 Jen

ROMANCING THE BUSH

The late afternoon sun hangs lazily in midair, reluctant to embrace the long shadows of evening. In this land of constant movement, the breeding herd rumbles gently, welcoming the cooler breeze of evening which softens the continual humidity that hangs heavy before the first rains. Their earlier dust bathing accompanied by social activities such as trunk entwining and sparring between the young bulls helps the elephants to renew their deep connection with each other with unblemished optimism. The thick coating of dust which they have thrown over a covering of mud from an earlier wallow will help to keep parasites like biting flies and ticks at bay. Like quiet shadowy spirits, they weave through the bush, their long trunks with the finger-like lobes never still, as they munch their way into the dark. Pausing slightly, heads tilted, they listen to the silence shredding cacophony of the cicadas and crickets, while squadrons of mosquitoes dive bomb in a relentless attack on their quest for blood.

The large elephant bull, magnificent in his stance, his creamy tusks protruding like scythes, shadows the elephant cow. His noble head is held high, large weathered ears fanned out and the constant dribbling of urine that has a distinct sharp odour is a sign that he is in musth. He is in a psychological and physiological state of heightened sexual excitement. His levels of testosterone can be up to 60 times higher than normal. The secretion of Temporin flows from his the temporal glands on the side of his head. He watches the cow with an amorous gleam in his wrinkled eye. On encountering this herd, he has moved from cow to cow looking for a mate. He has found this well rounded and strong young female by touching her vulva with the tip of his sensitive trunk. He then places his trunk tip onto a specialised taste gland, ‘The Jacobson’s organ’, which is located on the roof of his mouth. When a cow is in oestrus, her urine contains a pheromone which he finds alluring. And so, the magic of nature begins.

These two magnificent and sentient creatures of the bush flirt and tease. Entwining his trunk with hers and feeling her mouth gently has lured the strong young cow into adulthood. He has earned this right to mate by competing and chasing off younger bulls. For the moment, he is the lord of the land. He is approaching 35 years of age and is an experienced bull. He started producing sperm between 12 and 14 years old. However bulls rarely get to fathering a calf until they have reached their adulthood, which is anything from 25 years upwards. Even then, they are chased off by bigger and stronger males. The sturdy young cow who is approaching 15 years old and desperate for new whispers of life gives herself over to his ardent attention. He drapes his trunk across her back, testing her receptiveness. She does have a choice, and could move away. The bull mounts her, placing most of his weight on his strong back legs. His penis is S shaped, up to a meter in length and highly muscular. It will find and enter the vulva without him thrusting. His testes are located up near his kidneys, and up to a litre of semen can be ejaculated.

At peace with the rose coloured dawn, the mating pair remain close. As these two giants continue to romance on natures’ grandest stage, their copulations are accompanied by much excitement and agitation by the rest of the herd. He will continue to cover her for anything up to a week, keeping a jealous eye on any other males. He might stay close to the herd in the hopes of covering another female, or he will lumber away into the deep stillness of his solitary life.

The pulse of life will continue to throb after the glory has faded. She will give birth after 22 months, assisted by the females in her herd. How amazing is the cycle of life? In this land of extremes, us humans hold the destiny of these wonderful creatures in our hands. LET US ENSURE that this cycle of life continues.

BAN THE IVORY TRADE

January 27, 2014February 3, 2014 Jen

Saturday’s peaceful demonstration held outside the Chinese Embassy in London was attended by passionate, wonderful people. The noise from the protesters amplified into an overpowering hum, echoing off the large buildings rising high in this concrete jungle. I stood in the chilly air which was swirling with redolent fumes, adding my voice and becoming one with the crowd. We could only be described as noisy teeming humanity: A canvas of brightly coloured ‘Anti Poaching’ placards held up high above our heads. With pride and clutching my bright yellow ‘ placard, I moved in and among the throng of people, chatting, laughing and shouting.

The Chinese Embassy doors and windows remained firmly closed, (could have been because it was Saturday!!) as we policed our side of the road which was pulsating with life and atmosphere. However the very building seemed to bow low from the bombardment of voices putting pressure on the Chinese to stop the demand for ivory. Cars, buses, taxis and motorbikes all added their support by hooting their approval as they roared past. Tourist buses slowed down to a crawl, as cameras clicked and friendly visitors to London waved and shouted their encouragement. One woman, wearing a cap which was shading her mischievous eyes, had a large placard that read ‘Hoot if you love elephants’, and she leaped about like a naughty leprechaun encouraging the traffic to respond, and giving those who did not, a high voltage stare. A comical elephant caught up in his support of ‘Banning ivory’ and ‘Stop the killing’ had the crowd behind him as he proudly strutted, creamy tusks gleaming in the sun, that had miraculously broken free of the morning clouds.

Speakers Dominic Dyer from Care for the Wild, Mary Rice from EIA and WIll Travers from Born Free Foundation gave short and informative talks. The crowd remained silent as they held our attention, and then we all got back to the business in hand. A young man from the Chinese Media took loads of photographs, ensuring us that he would ‘raise the awareness’ by sending all information back to China, with what I like to think will be a strong message on how the survival of our elephants and rhinos has reached ‘CRISIS POINT.’ We were also informed that Governments were now taking a serious look at the ‘Poaching Crisis’, possibly because of the evidence that is linking poaching and terrorism.

Back home, full of good cheer and buzzing with a burning energy, my mind turns to the men and women on the ground. Out of the shadows, thoughts emerge, slinking across my mind: flanking me. From the comfort of my chair in chilly UK, I let my mind wander. All the animals are precious. They are threads in this web of glorious life. They are the jewels of Africa, the heartbeat of Africa, and Elephants, in my opinion, are the essence of Africa. These brave men and women, The Rangers: Custodians of what we all hold dear, ‘the wildlife’, we salute you all. However, we cannot sit back and leave all the work to these people. As humans, we are all custodians of this world we share. Each and everyone of us should take responsibility. The future of our world and its inhabitants lies in our hands. Let’s look at it through the eyes of an elephant. (When you read this poem, think of the rhino, the lion and all other endangered species).

Between 1990 and 2005, rhino poaching losses averaged out at 14 animals a year. Since 2005, demand has increased, and PEOPLE, the situation is now at crisis point. Should the sale of rhino horn and ivory be legalised? Mary Rice from Environmental Investigation Agency gave her views on the subject in October 2013. To date, this year South Africa have lost 72 rhinos.(Possibly higher). Sadly, we are having to try and protect these powerful symbols of nature from ourselves. Elephant poaching stats are : 100 a day: 1 every 15 minutes. HEARTBREAKING. Lets not leave it until it too late.

THE SPIRITS ARE ANGRY

January 20, 2014 Jen

THE SPIRITS ARE ANGRY

Mankind has over time been consistently intrigued by these gigantic beasts with their human like behavioral patterns. The elephant, fold upon fold of dignity, intelligence and love, engender such feelings of awe in me that I have totally fallen under the spell of these animals. To me, they are ‘Natures’ Masterpieces.’ I often wonder why humans react with such surprise on discovering how intelligent and sentient these animals are, but fortunately more and more is learnt about these animals, and we are learning they should be handled with compassion and not brutality. They are ‘human’ animals.

When we discuss ‘animal intelligence’, do we as humans take on a anthropocentric view? Are we the most important beings? Whilst we are an intricate part of this wild and beautiful world, we are but one thread in this web of life. We are all creatures of the soil, and we need to learn to honour all that leaves their mark in the sand. Sadly, we seem bent on destroying not only each other, but the environment as well. These magnificent creatures and other animals are also intricately woven into evolution’s slow magic. They are however, not preoccupied with control or destruction. Elephants reveal to us humans all the goodness in creation. They possess an inner beauty: Natures soothing breeze.

Tragically, these creatures are being buffeted by howling winds as poachers stalk their every movement. These ‘men of death’ are not only slaughtering the creature but are also destroying what makes this animal so revered. Man, who calls himself the ‘rational animal’, the ‘virtuous animal’ and the animal with the ability to conscientiously choose between right and wrong is responsible for the heinous crimes against nature and her creatures. These men have been instrumental in the collapse of ‘Elephant Society’ brought on by poaching. They have disrupted the transmission of ‘Elephant Culture’ from one generation to another. Echos of harmony are quickly lost as survivors of these ruthless poaching attacks are left traumatized and rudderless. Lone elephants and elephant calves have been found either standing guard over corpses or wandering aimlessly. Youngsters with no guidance and discipline can turn into rampaging delinquents. Elephants are close-knit and emotional, with strong family bonds. For them, the bush which should be their haven, has turned into a raw and violent battlefield. What we are now seeing in behavioral patterns with elephants after a ‘genocide’ is that it is frighteningly close to how humans react.

Me getting emotional? You damn right I am. I cannot bear to sit around watching as humans destroy a species. It is morally wrong. Do these people who destroy and pillage the wildlife have a conscience? Can they envisage a world of shadowy spirits weaving through the bush. People, please, let us not allow it to become a vanishing world.

Mother Nature is showing signs of anger. This poem is aimed at those who perpetrate such crimes as poaching. Although it is aimed at those involved in the cyanide poisoning of the elephants and other animals in Hwange Game Reserve in Zimbabwe, it is a little message to all those destroying the wildlife.

ELEPHANTS BELONG ON THE LAND

January 13, 2014 Jen

Elephants belong on the land

These gentle giants, richly endowed with all the better attributes of mankind have forever been stalked and hunted by the uglier and darker side of man. Records show that elephants used to roam from the shores of the Mediterranean in the north to the magnificent slopes of Table Mountain in the Cape, South Africa. With the hunger for ivory by man, forever snapping at their heels, before the end of the Roman Empire in North Africa, elephants no longer left a myriad of footprints on the land. Their mighty presence had gone. They had been hunted to extinction, leaving sunsets to usher the evenings into lonely nights.

Settlers arriving in the Cape in 1652 and using their more modern day weapons, quenched their blood lust slaughtering the wild life. The spoils from the worlds biggest land animals were carved into trinkets, piano keys and billiard balls. While herd numbers dwindled, it was not until 1822 that sense prevailed. The British Governor in the Cape, Lord Charles Somerset declared that elephants were ‘Royal Game.’ These animals could no longer be hunted without a special permit, which had to be obtained from the Governors Office.

Another 70 years passed by and the land of perfect bliss was close to becoming a land devoid of its four legged riches. The President, Paul Kruger of the South African Republic amended the existing laws to prohibit the hunting of elephants and rhino: he introduced licence fees, a closed hunting season and prohibited hunters from hunting on state lands. Under this umbrella of protection, the elephant population slowly recovered, once again bringing their special magic back into the veldt.

Their peace however, was short lived. Intense attacks on the elephant populations started again during the 70’s. Men once again filled their pockets with money made through the ivory trade, and it was not long before these gentle beasts were threatened with extinction. All international trade in ivory and all other elephant products were banned. These gentle sentient beasts with their large hearts, despite the international ban are not safe from man. The insatiable greed for ivory is killing this species.

Ivory tusks are overgrown incisors protruding from the upper jaw of the elephant. They hold no special powers, and consist mainly of dentine, which is the second hardest tissue in the body after enamel. PEOPLE, they are just teeth and every time ivory is purchased, think !! An animal has been destroyed. Is the demise of these magnificent beasts worth a trinket or piece of jewelry.

ELEPHANTS belong on the land (please read my poem), they do not belong on your mantel piece or in your jewelry box. The African bush devoid of elephants would be an arid land without soul. Elephants embody the very essence of the African veldt. These sensitive and intelligent creatures are in danger of becoming extinct. Let us stand together as one, becoming one voice and ensure the survival of these amazing beasts. Let us prove that we are also sensitive and intelligent beings.

INCREDIBLE ELEPHANTS

January 6, 2014January 6, 2014 Jen

INCREDIBLE ELEPHANTS

Powerful, dignified and awe inspiring comes to mind when I think about elephants. They are the biggest and most spectacular land animals. A ‘big tusker‘ can stand up to 4 meters tall and weigh six or seven tonnes. A big bull’s tusks can weigh up to 100 kilograms, and it is the elephants tusks that humans are greedy to own. Sadly, the elephants most dangerous enemy is man and their state of the art and deadly weapons of destruction.

With mans materialistic needs and fast methods of transport, we do believe that we are the superior beings. Elephants, on the other hand do not need these mod cons to interact and communicate. They have been blessed with attributes that we as humans do not have. They have the ability to communicate across the miles with sub sonic finesse and appear to have been graced with telepathic abilities. They are the ‘incredible elephants.’ (Please read my poem).

Humans will eventually mutate into beings sporting only one hand. The other will be a mobile phone responding to voice commands, taking photographs and mapping routes for us, the superior beings. Humans and elephants have so many things in common: our life span is similar and we have a parallel rate of development, maturing into adulthood from anything between eighteen to twenty five years. Elephants, like humans feel love and loyalty for their families, and also have a strong sense of death, pining and mourning just as humans do. Like humans, they will ‘bury’ their dead, covering the body with sticks and leaves, and returning to the place of burial to pay their respects. Like man, they display their deep feelings of compassion which they have been known to extend to other animals, and humans in anguish. Like humans, elephants need the love and teachings of their elders and it is important for the calves to be disciplined by these elders. Elephant calves display the same characteristics as human children and have been known to throw tantrums, showing jealous traits towards their siblings, jumping with joy and also retreating in sadness. ‘Memory like an elephant’ is a saying that is thrown at someone with a sharp memory, and we say this for a reason. An elephants memory is something to be proud of. They do not forget.

Elephants ask only for the space to roam free under the cerulean sky without fear, surrounded by their families and doing what elephants always do: living in the moment. As the superior beings, we do have one thing that no other living creature does: we have the ability to change the way things are. We hold the destiny of every living creature in our hands, and yet so few of us hear the silent cries of agony and the helpless pleas. The greed for ‘white gold’ has become the elephants downfall and their numbers are decreasing at an alarming rate. Elephants show all the best attributes of mankind with few of them displaying our darker sides.

The Evil World of Snaring

December 30, 2013December 30, 2013 Jen

The sun, a fiery ball in the sky glares down on the parched valley. Shimmering heat waves ripple through the dry Jesse bush as small leaves whirl majestically glinting in the bright sunshine. The huge baobab, looking like it has been ripped from the harsh earth and planted upside down dwarfs the small herd of elephants idling away the hottest hours of the day. Their gentle rumbles resonate through the midday quiet, and their large ears gently fan the breeze keeping body temperatures down. Large wrinkled bodies imprint shadows on the sun baked earth and a small colony of ants stop their military parade to take refuge in the shade. The midday peace, scorched by the hot sun lulls the scene into lazy drowsiness, disturbed only by the low hum of mopani flies and midges desperately hovering, irritatingly persistent in their quest for moisture from the eyes.

The quiet of the early afternoon erupts as frenzied and tormented cries shreds the hot air. The earlier peace turns into a scene of chaos and discordant screams, as the small elephant has his trunk entangled within ‘the wires of death.’ (A snare)

How quickly this little elephants life will change. But he does survive. Read the poem on ‘Short Trunk’ and see a photograph of him.

Snaring is totally indiscriminate: it’s victims all suffering the same agonising death. Animals that encounter the ruthless genius of the wire slip knot find themselves in a painful and precarious position. In their panic and attempt to break free, the wire noose tightens: either cutting off their air supply (if it is around their neck) or it tightens around a limb or their body. The more the animal struggles, the tighter the noose becomes, cutting deeply into the flesh, often going down to the bone. Swelling and infection set in and with the restriction of circulation, gangrene will take hold. An excruciating death will follow.

For the lucky ones who are found by Rangers, (Angels of mercy) the snare is removed and they are pumped full of antibiotics (see more.….) Read the article and see the pictures of young bull elephant. He is saved from a painful death.

Pachyderms: Natures perfect creations

December 23, 2013December 23, 2013 Jen

Pachyderms, to me are one of ‘Natures’ perfect creations. These immense and soulful creatures have captured my heart, and I am hoping you will allow them to creep in and capture yours too.

They are the largest land animals on the planet, wearing their (up to 45 pound) hearts on their sleeve. Their wrinkled expressions: fold upon fold of wisdom, compassion and love. It does not matter which subspecies I am talking about, their behavior patterns are similar. Scientists have found after years of research that elephants are capable of complex thought and deep feelings. An elephants emotional attachment towards their family members could rival our own. They have no problem in lifting their trunks and smelling the rain just because they can for the sheer joy of doing so. These large ambling sentient beings ooze with personality and a beauty from within.

One of the biggest events in the elephant family, of course is the birth of a new calf. Please click on the link and read the short poem. From my poem, you get a sense of the excitement surrounding this occasion, and the bonding and lovebetween the cows. (Some fantastic photos to have a look at re: cows forming a protective wall around a cow giving birth.)

The calf will be raised within this warm and caring environment, learning life skills from all the females in the Matriarchal herd. Young aunties or elder siblings will take on baby sitting duties and this all important for their development, preparing them for the responsibilities of ‘Motherhood.’

The Matriarch will be replaced by one of her daughters (normally the eldest) when she dies. The intense loyalties and deep love and caring are fundamental to the survival of the herd. Young bulls will leave the herd between the ages of 12 and 15 years. They will either join up with a bachelor herd or lead a solitary existence.

Elephant family units will split, normally due to a shortage of food in the area. These families remain united, and will meet up at watering holes and favourite feeding spots. Meeting up with members from the other unit is also cause for celebration. They begin to call out to each other from a quarter of a mile away. Getting closer, they pick up the pace with temporal glands streaming. Once they have spotted each other, they start to run: a large mass of bubbling exuberance and noisy splendor. Making contact through a swirl of dust, these mighty creatures embrace: ears flapping, tusks clicking, leaning into and rubbing each other: all the while urinating and defecating. Spinning in circles, they encompass the world with their joy and a cacophony of trumpeting screams and rumbles shred the air. Happiness and joyful is their reunion.

These magnificent giants can protect their families and themselves against scavengers and most predators.

Their biggest fight for survival is against man, his guns, his greed and the corruption.

Every time you purchase ivory, an elephant has been killed. Elephant families are left bereft. Orphans, are left without the guidance they need from their elders.

We all hold the power in our hands: NO TO IVORY.. Let us ensure the survival of these sentient creatures.

Elephant in the Can

December 13, 2013 Jen

I have been sharing news of ‘Sunder‘ the elephant on facebook. Sunder has been subjected to beatings for the past six years. I, like millions of others are hoping for his release to a sanctuary where he can find love. Sunders’ misery has had me thinking of our Zimbabwean elephant calves that were sent to China in November 2012.

Having seen these wonderful creatures in the bush, I just can not get my mind around the image of an elephant living on concrete behind bars. I can only find information on the remaining elephant (one died soon after arrival) at the Taiyuan Zoo in China.

Reading through this article, a huge wave of emotion lodged itself in my throat, and I could feel tears threatening to spill over. ‘Elephant in the can’ came to mind and I dedicate this poem to the little elephant (and all others who are being held captive in unsuitable surroundings.)

Elephant in the Can

Small elephant calves from their mums are torn

Shipped to a strange land

Far from their roots on the continent where they were born

Behind this deal: a huge fat fee?

Elephants now facing a life of abject misery

Incarcerated behind bars

Little sunshine: No hope: No stars

Turmoil and sadness: daily strife

One traumatized elephant calf does lose its life

Escaping barriers: finding tranquility

Forever frozen: cocooned in courage and humility

For the remaining elephant, time slowly melts away

Day becomes night and night merges into day

Gray mists swirl: a heartbreaking sight

Grieving calf : life of loneliness

His personal plight

Tattered, sad: dirty and torn

A spirit hardly lingers: emotionally worn

Dejected trunk and swaying body

The little elephant cries

Tears of sadness roll down wrinkly cheeks

Desolation in his eyes

Elephants live for sixty to seventy years

A life of coldness: bleak is his future

Servitude to man, faces staring in at him

‘Elephant in the can’

I feel strongly that no more animals should be sold and taken from their environment and shipped to foreign soil.

The little elephant in the Taiyuan zoo has been made more comfortable…the problem is that elephants are social, loving animals and they pine for their own kind.

The following link will give you an update on the little elephant as of November 2013

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