Collaboration to Save A Species

The momentum to stop the poaching crisis is building, the tension palpable.  As individuals, organizations, and governments acknowledge the imminent danger elephants and other wildlife face, the message is clear: Poaching must stop or we will lose one of our most beloved and important species. We are giving a voice to our elephants and we are being heard.

Jim Justus Nyamu, a leading voice in the global community that focuses on elephant conservation and founder of The Elephant Neighbors Center in Kenya is in the US walking 560 miles in one month to raise awareness and funds for the Ivory Belongs to Elephants Walk.  On October 4, 2013 Jim will complete his journey in Washington DC at the International March for Elephants, a campaign created by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Jim will speak to hundreds of supporters about ending elephant poaching through local community involvement, education, and financial support.

Jim’s presence in the US is especially relevant this month. Just a few weeks ago, the US government announced an advisory council to provide funds andl “support our partners’ anti-poaching and law enforcement efforts”. A few weeks later, a ton of ivory was confiscated in New York. And, most recently, the US government announced that it would crush over 6 tons of illegal ivory being held in the US in early October. Whether you simply share the message on social media, wear an iworry bracelet or Ivory Belongs to Elephants t-shirt, walk with Jim Nyamu, march for elephants, or foster a DSWT orphaned elephant  you can be part of the growing buzz in the US community. The buzz is growing into a cacophony that will ring the ears of every contributing government, organization, and poacher in the world.

The poachers, according to Nyamu, need more training and funding to compete with the high rate of pay they earn for ivory. Organizations like The Elephant Neighbors Center offer training in conservation and better land and crop management techniques for residents to live more harmoniously with elephants and create a sustainable income.  Namibia and other countries also have conservation programs at work. But, funds and training are needed quickly. Kenya’s new laws calling for stricter punishments for poaching have not gone into effect yet.  The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust reported:

“an unprecedented upsurge in Poisoned Arrow poaching, which is a very disturbing trend that is taking a devastating toll of Elephants throughout the Tsavo ecosystem. THE KWS/DSWT Mobile Veterinary Unit has been kept fully occupied on a daily basis, at times treating more than 3 cases every single day... We believe that this Poaching frenzy is a result of the publicity surrounding the proposed imposition of more deterrent punishments for poaching offences by the newly elected Kenyatta/Ruto Government.”

An elephant is killed in this manner every 15 minutes for their ivory so the time to act is now. As Jim Justus Nyamu walks, as the world marches and shares, we are reminded that we are connected to our gentle giants, noble, graceful, and kind. We are connected and we are beginning to unite in our efforts to stop the madness.