eleblog

“Farmers in the Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe have hit on a novel way to keep elephants from trampling their fields. They surround their crops with rows of chili peppers, whose smell is noxious to elephants. The peppers prevent battles that have harmed both man and animal, save crops and give farmers a lucrative new product to export.” - The New York Times

“Six baby elephants kick around in the red dust of Nairobi National Park. With only a rope separating us from them, this may be the most intimate African wildlife experience I?ve had.” - Scotsman.com

“Rangamati district administration, to protect villagers, is planing to erect barriers around the areas where marauding wild elephants have killed 12 people and injured scores of others this year, sources said.” - The Daily Star

“This is an elephant-back safari. Love or loathe the idea of African elephants being used as a biological 4X4, the concept is here to stay.” - Mail and Guardian Online

“For years, animal rights and welfare groups have been protesting Ringling?s use of animals, particularly endangered species such as elephants and tigers. They complain of cruel training, transport and living conditions, and urge the public to avoid circuses that include animal acts. Last July, the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. handed animal advocates, including the Fund for Animals and the ASPCA, a legal victory in their efforts to hold Ringling accountable. The groups? lawsuit, now moving forward, charges Ringling with violating the Endangered Species Act by abusing elephants through routine circus practices (using bullhooks, chaining them for long periods, and weaning baby elephants too young). ” - E, the Environmental Magazine

“The trade threatens the survival of several already endangered species, including elephants and great apes. ” - BBC

“Wildlife groups are calling for a crackdown on people in Africa who support the illegal trade in ivory. ” - CBBC

“As baby elephants go, Riccardo, a 232-pound male Asian elephant born into the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus in early December, is smaller than most.” - USATODAY.com

“A lively illegal trade in ivory is now flourishing in three populous states in West Africa, conservation groups say. ” - BBC NEWS

“The elephant-ivory trade, which long ago should have ended, unfortunately is alive and well. ” - csmonitor.com

“Africa’s elephant population has increased over the past four years with the largest African elephant concentrations found in Botswana, accordimg to the recently released 2002 African Elephant Status Report (AESR). ” - Latest News - Republic of Botswana

“But that visit ended tragically Thursday morning when Uber, a 55-year old mother of four, was killed by a rampaging elephant while visiting a wildlife park with her husband and daughter.” -
Pittsburgh Post Gazette

“Herds of hungry elephants attack villages, destroy plantations and rob trucks with food in eastern Thailand, the keeper of the national park Ang Lue Nai told Bangkok Post. And the man is not joking at all. The wearisome drought has forced 130 elephants to drop in villages in search of water and food; on their way the elephants trample down the nearby plantations.” - PRAVDA.Ru

“Professor Dominic Fobih, MP for Assin South, on Saturday presented relief items worth several million of cedis to more than 100 farmers whose farms have been destroyed by marauding elephants from the Kakum National Park.” - Ghana Web

“What happens to aging circus elephants? Sadly, some wind up like Delhi, a 57-year-old native of India who may not live to see Christmas.” - CNN.com