The threat of elephants by poachers is real. Annually more than twenty thousand elephants are massacred for ivory on the African continent. These figures are alarming and if no measures are not taken to support effort on
protecting against elephant poachers, the animals will soon be extinct. This guide seeks to highlight practical measures that are needed to curb this menace.
Poachers engage in this senseless act because there is still a market for ivory. One sure way of making sure that these animals are not hunted is by eliminating the market for elephant tusks. For this to succeed, countries around the world must join forces to ban the trade of ivory. Luckily, many countries have led the way and the rest should follow suit.
Ivory products are used by individuals in the homes or religious places. If these people are sensitized to the dangers of harvesting ivory, then they would look for alternative materials to make their ornaments and antiques. The best way people can support the conservation efforts of elephants is by making deliberate efforts not to buy ivory. The net effect is the loss of market for elephant tusks thereby eliminating the motivation to poach these animals.
It is therefore incumbent on everyone who understands the danger of wildlife poaching to spread the world and help save elephants. What most people do not understand is that an elephant is most beneficial when it is alive than when it is dead. This is because its long life allows it to become a source of a tourist attraction for many years, therefore, earning a country lots of foreign exchange.
Another approach to stopping this menace is using a multi-agency intelligence to track down the poaching networks across the world. Usually, the real masterminds of these poaching activities are not the people who the real killing. But the provided funds, weapons and logistical support to the contracted individuals. When the attention is turned to bringing the real beneficiaries of this ill trade to justice, then the fight against poaching will gain significant ground. In addition, these efforts need to be backed back strong laws that categorize poaching as a capital offense.
Just like providing security to important state installations, it is the duty of governments to make sure that game parks and wildlife sanctuaries are given security. This can act as a deterrent to would-be poachers to keep off these places. By using technologies such as drones for surveillance can help monitor big game parks with few wardens.
These wardens should be trained on combat skills and provided with proper tools such vehicles, clothing, communication equipment and weapons. This because the poachers often are better equipped than the rangers. They have more lethal weapons and are even well trained than the warden. With the right training, wardens can face poachers with confidence and drive them away.
Another way of protecting elephants from being killed for ivory is to support conservation efforts. There are people who have partnered with governments to rescue baby elephants or wounded animals and help them to recover. These efforts go a long way in ensuring that elephants are protected.
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