|
 |
I am big and powerful. My species has existed on this planet for a very long time and once there were many of us. We are intelligent and our language is very complex. The animals that walk upright on two legs do not understand that. We feel happiness, sorrow and pain. We are very big and have enourmous apetites. We are happy when we are left alone and wish no harm on others. We are vegetarian.
We are now very sad. Our environment is shrinking and there is not enough food left for us. Man attacks us with stones and loud firecrackers, he shoots holes in our sensitive hides, this causes us great pain and anger. Some of my kind are angered to the extent that they see the "twoleggers" as the enemy that must be killed. We never had need to kill before.
Have we no more right to live on this planet? |
For a true nature lover there is no bigger Adventure than observing one herd of wild elephants in the wild. After the size in the most true sense of the word it concerns with the elephant, nevertheless, the most imposing land living being of the world.
Elephants in Central Africa are still being hunted because of their tusk. Another big problem is the consumption and trading of bushmeat.The most affected here are the forest elphants. In last years in South Africa there has been increase in the number of elephants due to Government protection. This has led to the limit of space for these elephants thus Government has authorised for the hunting in othere to create space.The situation in Central Africa is very critical. Today, only a few National parks still have herds of elephants to see.
Elephants in Sri Lanka
The elephant in Sri Lanka is the biggest Asian subspecies, Elephus maximus, besides, however, possibly about one third smaller than its African relative. |
The elephant population in Asia has shrunk tremendeously in the last number of years. The main reason for this is the human overpopulation and the resulting destruction of natural wildlife habitat.
Despite shrinking population, it is possible to encounter a herd of one hundred or more elephants. This is an impressive experience.
Yet the entire elephant population was drastically reduced wih the onset of the British governance in Sri Lanka. |
|
The British viewed the shooting of elephants as a kind of sport. This alone cost countless elephants lives. Even today, the killing of elephants appeales to some as an heroic act.
Elephants where considered a menace to agriculture. Farmes where even equipped with rifles to further decrice the elephant population. In the mountain region of Sri Lanka, the elephants where alsmost complitely extinct in order to grow tea and coffee. |
In 1800 the population of the elephants was estimated to be 12,000 to 14,000 elephants. In 1920 this number had dropped to 7,000 to 8,000 animals. In 1999 the estimation dropped even further to 4,000 living elephants. Today, it is estimated that there are only 2,500 to 3,000 of these magnificent alimals still alive.
Formerly, Sri Lanka was almost entirely rainforest. Today, there is almost nothing left of the rainforest. The Sinharaja Nationalpark is the only noteworthy rainforest that is left. The Nationalpark is protected by UNESCO. Yet it is too small to provide a natural habitat for elephants as well as the Gibbon Apes. The Gibbons are considred extict in Sri Lanka. The elephants live in Skri Lanka’s veld and savannah region.
|
|
| Less than 10% of male Asian elephants bear ivory. In African species, the females also wear tusks. As a result, we now hardly males with tusk in Sri Lanka's wild. The few that still exist, of course, by poaching are particularly vulnerable. Furthermore, means that the genes of male elephants without tusks unnatural way to enforce what also helps is always less Tusker (elephant with ivory) countries. |
In recent years, the situation of gray giant continues to deteriorate dramatically. The war calls for its victims not only among the people. Elephants are by land and Claymore mines injured and killed. The tourists who otherwise finances in the national parks, has put remain.
Main projects of the government resettlement programmes for elephants to the destination. The animals are stunned at night, by truck in other areas, and watch verfrachtet totally confused in the new habitat. As a result, the elephants fight each other because the populations in most cases, with an electric fence and enclosed areas are too high. |
|
The elephants also do not know where the water and feed to find. In some areas there is not enough food for all animals and therefore occurred in recent years even elephants dying because of hunger. The weakened animals were also susceptible to diseases and also has provided a further depletion. The fall mostly the young elephant to the victims.
New research in Bengal (India) shows that the normal behaviour of the elephant is changing and that they now view men as their enemy.
This is also in Sri Lanka felt. Most elephants have contacts with people, which adversely impact on the animals, which have a very good memory.
Normally, they are quite peaceful and it is difficult from the rest.
Understanding the body language, you can assess the behavior of animals. Especially the bulls are in the mating season quite aggressive, because they know that people from danger. This has already led to many victims. |
The elephant in the WPE - Logo lives no more. He, too, was victim of the people. With the big Tusker proud I had three photo shoots, where the grey giant I come very close. Accidentally shot by an armed Home Guard. Self-rescue attempts of the Wildlife Department could end the painful not prevent the elephants.
The dead elephant in the photo was shot at dawn just for fun. He also was not immediately dead but died slow and painful over several hours. |
|
WPE Project - Paper made from Elephant-Dung
|
