March for elephants

Earlier today, new, gruesome information regrading the cyanide poisoning on elephants in western Zimbabwe was released. As of this morning, a recorded 91 elephants have been found dead, with more potential carcasses yet to be found. A number of other animals, including lions and vultures, have also been found dead in both the immediate and surrounding areas of the elephants and their waterholes. This is by far the most severe ecological attack constructed by poachers that the area has ever seen.

According to an article by Tendai Musiya, which has was published today in both The Globe and Mail and Toronto Star, nine suspected poachers have been formally arrested, with three men already being sentenced to 16 years in jail. While justice is being served to those guilty of these unforgivable crimes, the repercussions are still being felt by wildlife, and will continue to be an issue for some time.

Two of the main waterholes are going to be completely sealed off so that animals will not be able to access the contaminated water, and two new wells will be drilled out. The animal carcasses will be burnt in order to stop bacteria from spreading, and the top layers of soil around both the dead animals and contaminated waterholes will also be removed.

While these efforts are being carried out, protection for wildlife in the park will still be very strained due to a severe lack of funding, which results in fewer staff members, as well as other resources.

This event, which has been garnering global attention, is also occurring within days of an event called the "International March for Elephants," which will occur this Friday, October 4. This event, which is spread over three continents, is being done in order to raise awareness for elephant rights in both Africa and Asia. Elephants are being poached into extinction, and this event aims to encourage people to stand up for elephants and stop the mass slaughter that happens every day of ever year.

According to the website www.iworry.org, an elephant is killed every 15 minutes, and at this rate, they will become extinct by 2025. The website has an electronic petition that can be signed, but encourages all supporters to physically attend marches in order to spread awareness amongst the general public. If people don't speak up for elephants, they will soon be gone.

While there is absolutely nothing good about the cyanide attacks that occurred in Zimbabwe, I sincerely hope that, at the very least, people following the event will be lead to the "The International March for Elephants" and become more educated on elephant rights. Elephants need our help more than ever in order to survive, and the first step is spreading awareness. Only then can more demand be put on creating stricter laws, and ensuring that national parks receive the appropriate resources they need to protect what precious wildlife is left on this planet.