While taking aerial photos of the Tsavo Wildlife Reserve (Kenya), members of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) were devastated to discover that 11 elephants had been brutally killed by poachers.
The lure of ivory has made poachers in Kenya unable to resist.
The Tsavo Wildlife Reserve currently has about 12,000 elephants. The number of elephants poached here increased sharply during the 1970s and 1980s. However, since DSWT joined the elephant protection campaign, that number has decreased significantly.
In Tsavo, orphaned elephants aged 3 and older are integrated with a herd of wild elephants to learn how to protect themselves.
Speaking about the elephant killings, Rob Brandford, director of DSWT, said: “From the tyre marks left by the poachers, I could tell they were from Somalia. They were armed with poisoned arrows and spears. The poachers were heavily armed and many of my staff were killed for them. We need everyone’s help.”
“Tsavo is an ideal place for elephants and other animals. Human greed has caused many animals to be killed every day and it is our duty to protect them. We are working tirelessly to make this place a stronghold for elephants,” added Mr. Brandford.