Return of the ivory trade

Arrogant Chinese at it again. They have no respect for animal or human rights at all. They buy Tiger Bone Wine, and then whine that all their tigers are gone, so poachers are killing off the rest of the world's tigers to feed the hungry maw of China. and for all the parts of the tigers. inspite of proof that tiger has no beneficial health benefits at all, nor does it make their pri#ks stiff. as if they need them stiff with their over-population. Poachers have even killed tigers in Chinese zoos! and they let them! worse - the tiger farms.

What are they going to do to protect the elephants if the Chinese get this right? Cut off their tusks like they cut off the horns of rhinos to stop the poachers? This is outrageous.

Trained Asian elephants at African Lion Safari, Guelph Canada.

tharanga has contributed a photo to this story.

These elephant photos are awesome! Thank you to everyone who contributed a photo to this story! You are helping to raise awareness for the protection of African elephants! Thank you!

Our civilization isn't very civilized, is it?

My wife and I were visiting the zoo that I visited when I was a child. The enclosure for the elephants is so much better now than when I was a child.

jon.argos has contributed a photo to this story.

We learned the difference between Asian and African Elephants. Asian E's have a hump on their back and their heads. Where African E's backs curve down and have flat heads. Also Asian E's have smaller ears then the African E's (Taken at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Tacoma, WA)

rinalston has contributed a photo to this story.

I took this photo at a safari park in Birmingham England. They had 3 elephants, these two and a huge bull. Their pen was relatively large & spacious.

Trinipino has contributed a photo to this story.

This shot and the other were both taken at the Metro Toronto Zoo in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Their were five elephants there, all with either a missing or broken tusk.

Although I'm not familiar with the growth or maintenance of elephant tusks, it did somehow seem sad that none of the elephants had majestic, long tusk, as is often seen in nature.

Domenico Photography has contributed a photo to this story.

A group of female cows and calves at a water point in Kruger National Park. The female groups accomodate young males only till puberty and then chase them off where they will form seperate young bull groups. A third group you will most probably encounter in wildlife parks is a small male group - one, two or three older bulls. You will often find them near roads intimidating visitors. They are normally not aggressive unless they are in musk (wet a few cm behind the eyes), they are very grumpy then. But always remember; they are more afraid of you than you are of them. They are very much like dogs - they will chase after someone running or driving away. They will often block roads for visitors but rangers know how to deal with them ( have a look at this video:  www.flickr.com/photos/peetvs/2404733919 ). Their emotions show with their tails -  a tail strait back indicates fear ( www.flickr.com/photos/peetvs/426462164 ) like in this photo of two young bulls fighting. The female groups will almost never attack; usually do some sham attacks but the cows are too careful not to hurt themselves and would rather back off.

PeetvanSchalkwyk has contributed a photo to this story.

African elephant at the San Diego Zoo

Nina Monster has contributed a photo to this story.

I photographed this lovely young African Elephant with a small heard in Kenya's Masai Mara. The reality that these perfect beings are routinely slaughtered by poachers weighed heavily upon us as we wondered if they might be next.

shmerls has contributed a photo to this story.

Desert elephant matriarch charging, defending calf and herd in Damaraland rocky desert, Namibia
(Etendeka, North of Palmwag)
These Desert elephants are irritable. They killed at least 4 tourists within the last years in Damaraland. Elephant-human interaction remains conflictual, even in these less populated areas...

P.S. For People less used to African Wildlife, this Matriarch is the leader of the group, and the calf was probably her own. This elephant herd was healthy and huge, meaning that the matriarch was probably an excellent one, to lead such a group in such an unforgiving environment. These desert elephants are less used to humans, so they are usually nervous when they encounter people. The group is also more nervous when a calf is present. This charge is only an intimidation, and most of the time the elephant stops a few meters from you. You just have to stand still, and leave the place, and that's what we did !

olivier.delaere@usa.net has contributed a photo to this story.

This photograph was taken at Aberdare National Park in Kenya.

jakehyr has contributed a photo to this story.

African Elephant, Zoo Dresden, Germany

Kasey0807 has contributed a photo to this story.

A male elephant in Kruger National Park in South Africa. His left tusk is shorter because that is the side he prefers to use.

Gailleann has contributed a photo to this story.

The African Elephant faces an uncertain future. Although many exist in Africa, unregulated and illegal trade in ivory could lead to their demise. Human encroachment and the conversion to farmlands are also serious threats to their survival.

I took this shot at the Toronto Zoo, Canada.

fesign has contributed a photo to this story.

This image of Mom and Baby was taken in Arusha National Park in Tanzania on Monday, February 11, 2008. Here is a paragraph from my Journal for that day:

"So our first “drive” included a family herd of about 11 elephants, including 2 young ones. They were devouring a tree that they had managed to knock over! We saw the large male later on in the open. Males evidently frequently feed alone and only return to the family when a female is in heat. The elephant Moms do a great job of protecting the young."

Mary Lou Frost

mloufrost has contributed a photo to this story.

This picture was taken in Mysore Zoo which is situated in Mysore, Karnataka, India. This was the first time I have seen a real African Elephant live.

It could be probably the only African Elephant found in South India (not sure though). I love its ears and its tusk and wanted to capture it on my camera. That's about it. Thank you.

Regards,
Dennis Zach.

Dennis Zach. has contributed a photo to this story.

This photo was taken at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago Illinois.

happily Evan after has contributed a photo to this story.

This photo was taken at the Kansas City Zoo.

mybelly has contributed a photo to this story.