Preventing ivory poaching in Kerala
At Elephant Family, we have made a point of stressing that the main threat to Asian elephants is loss of habitat, thereby making the key distinction from the much publicised threat of ivory poaching to African elephants. Yet ivory poaching is also a significant problem in Asia. And unlike their African relatives, where both sexes have tusks, only male Asian elephants possess tusks of any significance, so targeting them can threaten their population’s viability. Through a new endeavour, Elephant Family is therefore supporting anti-poaching measures in one of the poaching hotspots of India.
Kerala State is a popular tourist destination and is well known for its elephants. Indeed, the world’s largest population of Asian elephants is found in the Nilgiri Landscape, which stretches across northern Kerala and into the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Sadly, Kerala is also known for its widespread poaching.
Poaching operations have become increasingly sophisticated in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in particular, which is a vast area to patrol over difficult terrain. While no one can protect elephants better than the motivated young rangers who work on the frontline of conservation, patrolling the forests continually, they have been struggling with a communications system that is no longer up to the task of keeping one step ahead of the poachers.
Responding to a call for support from the Wildlife Warden, Elephant Family and the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) have therefore provided new two-way radio sets, a new antenna, and all the parts required to maintain the system and repair some of the existing radios. This has already vastly improved the anti-poaching units’ ability to function. Over the course of the year this will be backed up with training from the experienced WPSI team. This will bring the rangers up to speed with the latest methods being used by poachers, and fill them in on intelligence gathering to catch wildlife criminals and ensure that they are convicted. In doing so a safe haven for elephants will once again be created in this part of India.
written by Dan Bucknell on 21st January 11
