Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Today is World Elephant Day...
This article is from 2012 but even more relevant today, as elephants are being massacred for their tusks while ivory prices top $1500 per pound. Disgusting! What's the matter with this world? Elephants are facing extinction.
6 ways to help elephants
With the elephant poaching epidemic in Africa running rampant — and renewed ivory lust growing worldwide — experts fear the survival of the species is at stake.
By: Melissa Breyer
September 5, 2012, 1:35 p.m.
The title of a recent New York Times article says it all: "Elephants Dying in Epic Frenzy as Ivory Fuels Wars and Profits." It’s horrific and heartbreaking. Africa is in the middle of a monumental elephant massacre. Poachers are wiping out tens of thousands of elephants each year, more than at any time in the previous two decades — and the underground ivory trade has become dangerously militarized.
“Like blood diamonds from Sierra Leone or plundered minerals from Congo, ivory, it seems, is the latest conflict resource in Africa, dragged out of remote battle zones, easily converted into cash and now fueling conflicts across the continent,” notes the Times.
<snip>
What can we do?
<snip>
1. Obviously, don’t buy ivory
Or sell it, or wear it. New ivory is strictly banned, but antique ivory can be legally available for purchase. (The regulations are complicated; this is a good overview.) Ivory has traditionally been used for jewelry, billiard balls, pool cues, dominos, fans, piano keys and carved trinkets. Shunning antique ivory is a clear message to dealers that the material is not welcomed, and it's an easy way to show your solidarity with the elephants.
2. Buy elephant-friendly coffee and wood
Coffee and timber crops are often grown in plantations that destroy elephant habitats. Make sure to buy Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified timber and certified fair trade coffee.
3. Support conservation efforts
<snip>
4. Be aware of the plight of captive elephants
<snip>
5. Adopt an elephant
<snip>
6. Get involved with Roots & Shoots
<snip>
Read more: http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/6-ways-to-help-elephants#ixzz3icF2K2iz
With the elephant poaching epidemic in Africa running rampant — and renewed ivory lust growing worldwide — experts fear the survival of the species is at stake.
By: Melissa Breyer
September 5, 2012, 1:35 p.m.
The title of a recent New York Times article says it all: "Elephants Dying in Epic Frenzy as Ivory Fuels Wars and Profits." It’s horrific and heartbreaking. Africa is in the middle of a monumental elephant massacre. Poachers are wiping out tens of thousands of elephants each year, more than at any time in the previous two decades — and the underground ivory trade has become dangerously militarized.
“Like blood diamonds from Sierra Leone or plundered minerals from Congo, ivory, it seems, is the latest conflict resource in Africa, dragged out of remote battle zones, easily converted into cash and now fueling conflicts across the continent,” notes the Times.
<snip>
What can we do?
<snip>
1. Obviously, don’t buy ivory
Or sell it, or wear it. New ivory is strictly banned, but antique ivory can be legally available for purchase. (The regulations are complicated; this is a good overview.) Ivory has traditionally been used for jewelry, billiard balls, pool cues, dominos, fans, piano keys and carved trinkets. Shunning antique ivory is a clear message to dealers that the material is not welcomed, and it's an easy way to show your solidarity with the elephants.
2. Buy elephant-friendly coffee and wood
Coffee and timber crops are often grown in plantations that destroy elephant habitats. Make sure to buy Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified timber and certified fair trade coffee.
3. Support conservation efforts
<snip>
4. Be aware of the plight of captive elephants
<snip>
5. Adopt an elephant
<snip>
6. Get involved with Roots & Shoots
<snip>
Read more: http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/6-ways-to-help-elephants#ixzz3icF2K2iz
TYY
5 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
Been very active for years, doing what I can to help protect them. Thanks for the link and tips!
Happy World Elephants Day! 
...which is TODAY!
TYY
TYY
...to raise awareness on the plight of Asian and African elephants.
TYY
Last month, as the world mourned the death of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe, five endangered elephants were killed by poachers in Kenya.
Predation of elephants has increased in recent years, with as many as 100,000 African elephants being killed between 2010 and 2012, according to an elephant researcher at Colorado State University. Nearly 60 percent of Tanzania’s elephant population has been wiped out in the past six years, the report indicated. Increased demand in Asia, where a single tusk can fetch up to $200,000, has fueled the increase in poaching.
TYY