(c) Mani Navasothy
I picked up the latest `National Geographic’ Magazine, and was utterly shocked and deeply sad to read that ..last year.. 25,000 elephants were killed by poachers for the sake of their Tusks / ivory.
For example, in Cameroon’s Bouba Ndjidah National Park, poachers armed with grenades and AK-47 riffles had killed over 300 elephants this year – the largest mass elephant slaughter in decades. This is also reported by the WWF (World Wilde Fund).
In Thailand, one of the Monks who keeps elephants at his temple, was accused of starving one elephant to use its ivory for amulets (a charge he rejected).
What can we do? For my part, I did one of those `Elephant adopting’ with WWF ..last year, and get regular updates on what `my’ elephant is doing… I’ve written a children’s story book, that features the plight of the elephant (“Elephantom Origins”)..and now have resolved that ALL sales of that book, when it is published will be put towards the cause of keeping elephants as safe as possible. Not sure what else I can do? As a Hindu, I worship the god Ganesh, who is an elephant headed god.. So I have a special vested spiritual interest in the welfare of Elephants..What about you readers? Any serious thoughts?
-Mani
QuantumPhoenix 