It’s World Elephant Day today, which reminds us that without international cooperation, strict laws and vigilance elephants may soon disappear from the Earth. It’s time to save the largest land mammal on our planet. Every year, more than 35,000 elephants are killed for their ivory. That’s one elephant is killed every 15 minutes. At this rate, these amazing creatures will disappear from the forests and savannahs by 2025, reports The Globe And Mail.
British wildlife photographer urges people to save elephants
In Africa alone, more than 20,000 elephants were killed last year. Their ivory tusks earn a fortune as they are shipped illegally to China and South-east Asia. Last month, a Canadian antiques dealer was charged in the U.S. for smuggling endangered wildlife, including the elephant ivory. The illegal wildlife trade has grown into a serious business, estimated to be worth about $19 billion a year. And it’s growing because law enforcement agencies treat wildlife trafficking as low priority.
Today, many international activists and wildlife photographers have come forward to make a plea to the public about elephant conservation. British wildlife photographer Paul Goldstein is using his majestic album to urge people to save elephants. People come forward to save something they can see. So, his photos captured over the last 25 years should encourage people. We need to realize how critical this tragic situation is.
WCS launches the 96 Elephants campaign
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has also started a campaign named 96 Elephants. That name indicates the number of giant mammals killed every day by poachers. WCS staff photographer Julie Larsen Maher is traveling to Kenya to pictures of African elephants on their home lands. These pictures show their lives as families. Maher hopes these images would inspire people to save 96 elephants every day.
The time to save elephants is now. Just a ban on trading of ivory products won’t do much to resolve the poaching crisis. Let’s come together to raise awareness.
