Impending Elephant Disaster

Gunmen threaten African elephant massacre
Bush Warriors
BREAKING NEWS: Elephants to be massacred in Central Africa. Should NATO intervene?

Taking advantage of the ongoing political instability in Central African Republic, poachers may be preparing to perpetrate one of the biggest elephant massacres in recent history. WWF sources said heavily armed poachers were in Dzanga Bai, locally known as the “village of elephants,” inside Dzanga-Ndoki National Park. Between 50 and 200 elephants congregate every day in the large clearing to drink mineral salts present in the sands.

Bush Warriors urges the country to mobilize troops to end poaching, and calls on the international community to help restore peace in the country and preserve its unique natural heritage.
We will post updates as they become available .

The Sidney Telegraph
Gunmen threaten African elephant massacre From: AAP May 08, 2013 8:44AM

Add to DiggAdd to del.icio.usAdd to FacebookAdd to KwoffAdd to MyspaceAdd to NewsvineWhat are these? 0A GROUP of 17 gunmen have entered an animal park in the Central African Republic, threatening "one of the biggest massacres of elephants" in the region, conservationist body WWF says.
It said the 17 on Monday entered the Dzanga-Ndoki national park and were heading for Dzanga Bai, known locally as "elephant village".

The poachers threatened to bring about "one of the biggest massacres of elephants in the region since poachers killed at least 300 elephants for their ivory in Bouba N'Djidda national park in north Cameroon in February 2012," WWF said in a statement sent to AFP in Yaounde.

Dzanga Bai was described as a big clearing where 50 to 200 elephants go each day "to drink mineral salts present in the sands".

"Unless rapid and decisive measures are taken it seems very likely that the poachers will take advantage of the country's chaos and instability to shoot elephants living in this unique site," said Jim Leape, general director of WWF International.

The rebel Seleka coalition toppled the regime of Francois Bozize in March but has yet to establish order in the country whose army is in a shambles.

WS

That's an awful story and there is no hope for those eles, realistically will NATO intervene? So sad that the poachers can now take advantage and cause more disaster.

Lai

Your right Lai. If nothing can be done to stop this when the whole World knows about it, what hope is there for the survival of the species
WS

The World did'nt do anything. The result of not doing anything below

Elephant village turned into elephant graveyard


AT least 26 elephants massacred in world heritage site
May 2013. At least 26 elephants were massacred in the Dzanga Bai World Heritage Site in the Central African Republic, after 17 individuals armed with Kalashnikov rifles entered this unique elephant habitat, known locally as the "village of elephants".

26 carcasses spotted including 4 calves
WWF sources said they had counted at least 26 elephant carcasses in and around the Bai, a large clearing where between 50 and 200 elephants congregate every day to drink nutrients present in the sands. Four of the elephants were calves, the sources said, adding that local villagers had started taking meat from the carcasses.

Elephant mortuary
Since the poachers arrived no elephants have been seen at the Bai, which was described as an "elephant mortuary" the sources added.

Although the 17 armed individuals, who presented themselves as part of the country's transitional government forces, have left the area, WWF and other conservation partners fear the killing could continue unless the area is properly secured.

The Central African Republic has been rocked by violence and chaos since the beginning of the year, and WWF and other conservation organizations left the field office next to the Bai in April for security reasons.

Jim Leape, WWF International Director General, said: "The killing has started. The Central African Republic must act immediately to secure this unique World Heritage site. The brutal violence we are witnessing in Dzanga Bai threatens to destroy one of the world's great natural treasures, and to jeopardise the future of the people who live there.

"The international community must also act to assist the Central African Republic to restore peace and order in this country to safeguard its population and its natural heritage. WWF also asks Cameroon and the Republic of Congo to assist the Central African Republic in preserving this World Heritage Site, which not only encompasses the Bai, but also includes large neighbouring areas of these two countries.

"The events in Dzanga Bai are a vivid reminder of the existential threat faced by forest elephants in Central Africa. Populations of this species have plummeted 62 per cent over the past ten years. The unfolding tragedy in Dzanga Bai must also spur the governments of China and Thailand to act on their commitments to shut down the ivory markets in their countries that are fuelling this illicit trade."

WS