"We"? "We" can't, that part is obvious. Some empty collective idea will never protect elephants.
You, however, can protect them. Buy enormous amounts of land, and then protect the elephants from poachers. Get everyone that feels like you do together and just do it. Get Tom Steyer, Sheldon Adelson, Don Sussman, and Paul Singer. You don't need any laws (those on the books have failed, more won't help), you just need to do it.
When you say "we", you just mean that it bothers you that hundreds of millions of people have concerns in their lives that are more pressing than that of the elephants. Just like it seems you do when you write drivel about wheezy ballerinas and rich dinguses.
There is no secret to protecting these animals. It's expensive, and there's a lot of effort involved, but it is quite simple: obtain the land, and hire a reputable company to protect them. They can roam, graze, do whatever it is that elephants do, and they will be safe from the predations of others.
Don't get me wrong, I think their plight is appalling. But I don't labour under the mistaken impression that some vague handwaving towards the idea that "we" can protect them will do anything more than it ever has: almost nothing.
You want to save them? Get out there and do it. Don't act like an appeal to "we" will end in the result you desire.
5
Reading today's Sunday Review from front to back I had the feeling of being overcome by a deluge of bad news that defies comprehension. I started out interested - "How to Escape Roy Moore's Evangelicalism" - then deflated - "We Were Warned" - then horrified and numb - "Nuclear War Doesn't Seem So Funny". But it took until the last page for me to actually be brought to tears. Over elephants - "Why Can't We Protect Elephants?" What explains our administration's decision to be complicit in such a heartbreaking and cruel state of affairs?
Years ago as a college student, my journalism professor showed four pictures - three depicting humans beating or being otherwise cruel to other humans and the fourth of a man pointing a rifle at a cow's face through a fence. It turns out the photo that got the biggest pubic reaction was the fourth. My professor explained that people are far more empathetic when the object of the cruelty is perceived as defenseless.
Ms. Shipstead's article paints a clearly similar picture of defenseless elephants (never mind the actual photos and videos she refers to). I should be crying over the idea that climate change or the possibility of nuclear war has put us on course for planetary extinction. But I have an existential sense of being powerless to affect change in this trajectory of humans being cruel to humans (and animals of course). But maybe I can feel enough emotion to try to help these magnificent and defenseless animals.
1
Does the purchase of Ivory by the Chinese finance Islamic terrorists in
Africa?
2
We had to kill them to save them?
One thing is certain: we don't need a thriving State Department to negotiate international agreements to stem the extinction of elephants: Trump, in his own words, is the only one who matters.
2
WHY CAN'T WE PROTECT All life on earth from degradation of the environment and global climate change? Elephants are emblematic of the fate that awaits all of us if we ignore the destruction we've wrought. And reverse it.
3
It seems most of the endangered animals that are actively hunted for parts are going mostly to China, either for status trophies, health potions or aphrodisiacs. As long as there is a demand that huge, someone will try to supply it, right down to the last elephant, rhino, cheetah, etc. as long as an impoverished African man can make the equivalent of several years wage from the killing of just one wild beast, it will not stop. It is both cultural and economic and only when those change will the carnage change, as for the photo, it is cruelty so savage it makes me embarrassed to be human.
2
Since seeing that horrific image, not a thought has crossed my mind where it was not followed by 'But those elephants!'. What's for dinner, isn't it a pretty day, what shall I wear to work; 'But those elephants!'. And a wave of grief that can level me. How do we keep functioning and stay 'awake' in this world? How do we bear witness to the unbearable? I feel I cannot 'bear' witness or any of this. Not at all.
3
Yet another reason to detest the NRA. As well as the Trump Administration.
7
Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." Genesis 1:25
So supremacy starts with this attitude--and because they can. But the idea that killing some will save more is specious. Why kill any? Why not at worst, tranquilizer guns for a fee? Use the fee to combat poachers along with eliminating the end market for ivory? The one's paying the thousands of dollars for the hunting trip are limited to the wealthy. So they must display their machismo against defenseless and disadvantaged creatures--who're the supreme ones?
But These creatures should also be looked at from another perspective. They're natural resources no different than Saudi Arabia's oil--and why are they now looking to diversify? Depletion of natural resources runs out. And all for short term gain? Meanwhile, elephant and other big game populations are decreasing--so killing to preserve is not working. Wild animals are under pressures from other directions as is, they don't need specious arguments for short term profits so we can say when they're gone--Looks like we were wrong--oops.
3
There was a time when men like Hemingway thought it was a sign of masculinity to kill majestic wild animals. With all that we know today, and with elephants being endangered, I think it is a sign of a sick, self centered flawed ego. It is one thing to hunt for food for your family, another to hunt for commodities like ivory or trophies. I believe that whether the animal is endangered or not. To me, it's a sin to kill any of God's creatures for sport. The photo is so telling of Donald Trump Jr. flaunting the tail of an elephant he killed looking full of himself and smug. What does that tell us about this family and the way he was brought up? Facing criticism, his father says he will study the issue. What is there to study? Does he want to find some compromise so his son can still hunt elephants? Maybe Trump Jr. is the one who belongs in a zoo, but a zoo would be too good for him. He is not worthy of sharing the planet with wild animals.
7
It would take a special sort of monster to kill an elephant.
12
It would be relatively easy and, at the same time, near impossible to dramatically reduce the wholesale slaughter of elephants. The process would require using brain scanning equipment to establish links between expectations of winning peer approval and inflating esteem (by flaunting ivory) to score the same dopamine junkies trigger with heroin.
The next step is to start an educational campaign explaining how approval and esteem addictions are more common and destructive than heroin, nicotine, and alcohol addictions combined. In part because approval and esteem addictions are conveniently considered normal, acceptable, and even admirable behaviors (because the bigwigs in charge of defining addictions happen to be huge approval and esteem addicts).
Since there's only one addiction, and it's to dopamine, the symptoms for all addictions are the same, including self-deception, denial, and a profound indifference to the suffering (in this case to elephants) caused by the addictions.
Emphasizing how the more insecure the individual, the greater the need to hide behind status symbols (such as ivory) will result in approval and esteem addicts shunning ivory rather than risking disapproval and mockery (by letting everyone know needy and pathetic they are).
Of course, this is unlikely to happen because exposing the depravity behind the need to flaunt ivory comes with the threat of exposing the inanity and insanity of owning and flaunting an array of popular status symbols.
1
Right now, "we" consist of Trump and his conservative minions and they could care less about protecting wildlife. They're not even concerned about human life.
6
Can we bring elephants to the United States? in numbers and diversity such that either African or Asian, or both species can survive?
We may not have an ideal, and large climate area for them, but it is better than extinction.
if you have been out in the West and seen all of the Government land, you know that the possibility exists. And I believe that as a Nation, we would embrace this opportunity.
4
The NRA would quickly pressure the Republicans to allow hunting of elephants. And they would quickly capitulate.
Just like hunting wolves now that they are being brought back from extinction.
3
A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to stay at a ranch in beautiful Alberta. It was hard to get to and the landscape was absolutely gorgeous. Men paid a lot of money to fly in and spend as little time as possible shooting a trophy animal. Once they shot the animal, they left. The animal had no chance as the guide had been tracking it and knew exactly where to take the client. Tell me there is anything in that scenario that a person should be proud of.
6
It's interesting to me that even the symbol of the Republican Party is something they refuse to protect. If the elephants go extinct will they change it to a coal mine? How ironic!
5
It starts with habitat loss. The planet belongs to all creatures. Big and Small and tiny. Humans keep taking more and more of it for themselves.
Lets draw the line where it is now. No more expansion of cities, villages for the sake of humans alone.
Secondly respect for animals needs to be incorporated into all education systems worldwide. The UN, all NGOs and lending institutions should make this a prerequisite for any aid to each country.
Thirdly starting with China, there should be strict penalties leading up to a decade or more of imprisonment for poachers and enablers.
As for those in India who lit the elephants on fire, how about a quid pro quo?
5
My dearest wish is that the United Nations, led by the United States, could create a militarized anti-poaching unit. Imagine what could be accomplished with drone technology, special forces teams, and intelligence-gathering networks...to not only protect elephants, rhinos, tigers, lions and other decimated species on the ground, but also to disrupt the poaching operations, black market distribution channels, and corrupt government officials who sustain such a horrific system. What a wonderful use of U.S. military resources and tax dollars.
Well, one can dream...
22
Notice I said the United Nations, led by U.S. forces. An important distinction. A coalition would be essential.
And "sacrificing them to brute animals"? Really? Why are you even reading an article about protecting and saving elephants with such a mentality? Shame on you. It's such perspectives as yours that is the reason we're losing 100 species a day to extinction.
2
That "We" in the title of the article may be your answer.
Who are the "We" people you speak of? The Poachers and Chinese artisans and collectors of ivory are surely not part of that "We".
Pachyderms are herbivores. They do not prey. Defenseless against Donald Jr.
11
The evolution of homo sapien sapien is the worst thing to happen to this planet. Unless we can bring down the population we will ruin this pale blue dot.
17
Yes, human population rate is out of control - at the danger of
many, many things and factors on Earth.
5
Answer to your question: Because Little Donny likes to shoot big game.
Next question?
9
Trump, as we all know, has absolutely no concern for anything living. His outrageous lifting of the elephant ivory ban (probably so his sons can charge rich, fat people lots of money to hunt them at an African or Indian Trump haven, or Ivanka can use real ivory on her Chinese clothing lines)), although quickly reversed (like almost everything else that idiot does), again reinforces what a DOTARD he is.
I suggest we send HIM to the plains of Africa, arm him with a stick, and let the elephants sort things out. I'm pretty sure they can smell him a mile away -because they're a LOT smarter than he is!
17
Humanity is a cancer on the planet.
15
Too many humans on the planet. Don’t fret. Nature is devising a nice virus which will wipe out half the population on Earth. And it can’t come soon enough
12
Eric Trump must not have bagged an elephant yet. It's his Christmas present.
6
IMHO, these alleged "hunters" are as "brave" as pro football players -- they really want to prove their macho, go patrol Afghanistan or Chicago (on a hot summer night). In 25 minutes, they'd be crying for Mommy and Daddy.
Beyond disgusting.
9
I cannot even look at the photo of desperate and insecure Donald
Trump JR holding a dead leopard in his arms that he has just shot.
The big cat's body must still be warm! How could anyone hold that
beautiful cat's still warm body and not crumple in deep anguish
and lung tearing sobs? To think it was alive just moments before!
I always wonder if those murdered animals were female with babies.
I did not know that this twerp Don JR had killed elephants. Dear God
how can anyone be that disconnected? Why, why kill any creature?
How is that sport? How is that jolly and fun, to take life? When I was
a child my mother used to complain that I was nicer to animals, than
I was to humans. I do not regret that. See I always felt animals were our
equals or actually our betters. I look into a cats eyes or a dogs eyes
or almost any animal's eyes at the zoo and I see greater intelligence
than my own. The great apes see right through us, how do they hide
their disgust? I cannot hide mine.
22
I am with you...in our household we have a saying "95% of all conversations had with humans would be WAY better if you had them with a dog/cat/etc..." Under the current Dumpster administration, that number has gone up to 99 1/2%.
5
Every species should be protected. The environment should be protected. But this is never going to happen. The population of the planet at nearly 7.5 billion increases by over 80 million each year. That is roughly 1 billion every 12 years. The environment cannot support even the current population. Humans are not capable of managing their numbers. The elephants along with many other species will be extinct in the not too distant future. So while I absolutely support the right things, I simultaneously realize that it an exercise in futility.
A mass extinction is already in progress, and there is not a damn anybody can do about it. Eat, drink, and be merry while it is still possible. After the elephants are gone (as if trump supporter gives a damn), there will always be YouTube elephant videos.
2
Eric wants to kill a whole elephant just to bring home a tail?
6
Big game hunting for animal parts as the trophy to show off is clearly for the excessively wealthy and those who need to boost an frail ego. The picture of younger trump holding the elephant tail has caused me such rage, nausea, and disgust; I did not realize I was capable of such a combination of emotions. A global response similar to the Paris Climate accord (well, maybe someone in the USA would help) is needed to protect unique animals such as elephants, lions, rhinos, water-dwellers, etc.
My volunteerism for WWF and Nature Conservancy just escalated due to that "holding the tail"picture.
10
I wish we could focus attention on all of the species that we are decimating on a daily basis
It's one thing to be dismayed by the clubbing of those cute and cuddly baby harp seals. What could be possibly be more difficult to watch?
Well watching dolphins vivisected, separated from their young and drown in their own blood is pretty tough (watch The Cove). Seeing whales harvested, in the name of research, by multiple countries is quite upsetting. Seeing sharks, turtles, whales, manatees, and a variety of cetaceans run over by ships, ensnared in fishing line, nets and clogged with the plastic detritus that litters our oceans is horrible. It makes you wonder if another generation will even get to see these magnificent creatures, outside of pictures, movies and animation.
Don't get me wrong the plight of the elephants is a huge issue, it may be too late to act even now as populations decline so radically that their kind is facing a loss of genetic diversity that will probably lead to extinction.
However, the real issue is our lack of stewardship of the planet. Who knows, maybe we will be the next species to face extinction? After all, if these creatures can't survive on the earth, maybe we can't either. The number of elephants killed by humans is greatly exceeded by the number of humans killed by humans! And then there's those pesky issues of war, pollution and climate.
6
Years ago, around Christmas, I was invited to a small party at the home of an accomplished architect who had built a beautiful home in the hills outside of Santa Fe, NM. When we arrived, we were led into a detached two-story building next to the house, for cocktails and when I walked in I noticed no less than 20 animal heads on the wall, mostly of species native to Africa, along with a large glass enclosed display for all of his hunting rifles and other firearms, that was set up like some sort of shrine. This gentleman was clearly highly-educated and successful, but, somehow, something in his dark soul had led him to invest a significant amount of time and energy to arranging for expeditions, the sole purpose for which were to satisfy his need to kill living things, many of which were probably penned up in some soprt of pathetic safari park. Words cannot express the anger, sadness and contempt I felt while looking at God's magnificent creatures, hanging on the walls, as a monument to this man's ego
44
I have family who have lived in New Mexico since 1956 due to an uncle serving in the U.S. Air Force. I have visited Santa Fe and Albuquerque for decades. Neither city resembles the rustic wild life paradise that it used to be. Looking on the walls for foreign safari trophies was and is less relevant to the looming American ecological disaster. Go to Acoma Pueblo and Chaco Canyon. Go to Carlsbad Cavern and White Sands.
2
A suggestion is that we arm the wild animals, elephants, rhinos, monkeys, etc with automatic weapons and allow them to shoot back at those who are hunting them.
Or we allow those animals to be hunted ONLY with spears made by the hunters.
Then we will see how "good" the hunters are when they are smooshed by the elephants, skewered by the rhinos and ripped arm from body by angry gorillas and monkeys.
1
I hope you turned around and left the party.
It was gut wrenching trying to read this story. I couldn’t even finish it’s so horrific. I understand the reason for killing animals for food and protection, although I don’t know that I could do it myself.
I’ll never understand why people enjoy killing animals for “sport” and pleasure much less why others enjoying torturing them.
5
It's an easy thing to rant on about Donald Trump and his sons the big game "hunters". It's also easy to express outrage at the plight of the Elephants. DOING something is another story. Check out the INTERNATIONAL FUND for ANIMAL WELFARE or SAVE THE ELEPHANTS online. We donate $100 (< 10 lunches for two at Tim Hortons) every year to both deserving groups. It's not much but it's something. (My day job is in aquatic ecology...fish people care about what's happening on land, too.)
11
Yes, I agree that money and commitment to helping is key also.
We are traveling to africa every year to spend our dollars and show our support. We donate to around 20 different charities that are helping on the ground in africa, cambodia etc...
Unfortunately, policies are what rule the day both here and in africa. As long as there are people willing to pay large sums of money to hunt these creatures, there are craven people willing to let them. Additionally, the ivory or rhino horn are prized gifts at the highest level of government in China or Indonesia.
Not sure how we are going to keep these creatures alive with humanity continuing to display its worse side daily.
The idea that elephants (or any other animals) in Africa will benefit from slaughter is absurd. The money goes into the pockets of corrupt people.
You see how that rationale worked with the rhinos, right? They're as good as gone—and officially extinct.
9
Every single day I wake up to another horror being legitimized by the current administration and DJT. Unfortunately, it is too late for so many of the animals on this planet as demonstrated by Joel Sartore's Photo Ark (National Geographic photographer trying to photograph every creature). Elephants will easily be among this group based on current policies.
My heart breaks and yet when I see the venality and cruelty being brought against animals I have very little hope of a better outcome.
Doesn't everyone remember the correlation between young kids who torture animals who then turn into serial killers???
5
The population of Sub-Saharan Africa is currently projected to quadruple to four billion people over the next 80 years. Africa's elephants are doomed.
https://qz.com/1099546/population-growth-africans-will-be-a-third-of-all...
The rest of us might not be in for a pleasant ride either.
5
Trump Administration Rolls Back Birth Control Mandate
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/06/us/politics/trump-contraception-birth...
A major part of the problem is too many people. The population explosion in Africa is preventable as it is in India. But no, Trump has to cater to insane religionist.
Are Americans, people around the world aware of pop. increases forecast for this small planet? Guess not.
12
For a different perspective I suggest reading the following
https://www.ndtv.com/blog/you-and-i-were-both-responsible-for-this-photo...
I read all the comments. Why does no one acknowledge who is killing most of the elephants, rhino, lions, giraffe, zebra etc? The Asians and Africans are killing these animals. How can the animals in Africa be saved if no one admits who is killing them?
4
Fitting isn’t it, that Republicans would even canibalize their own symbol to make-a-buck?
7
Conclusion: America is no better than Africa and trophy hunting should be illegal anywhere. It is plain murder. I am so sickened, so sad to read about how people kill and torture animals, that I am really considering to turn off computer for good.
6
the trumps are some of the worst human beings on the planet. of course they have many 'humans' who would gladly join them.
9
What has this Admin done that is not belligerent to people and/or the environment? Everything they do has a sense of abject belligerence to it.
How in the world did this Admin think this somehow fulfills Trumps campaign promises? What good is it to any of us, allowing the very wealthy to bring back elephants heads, etc?
There's no other reason then their devout belligerence to all things Obama. Which is looking pathological, esp. in this case.
What more do the Trump boys need to prove their manhood? I know its hard for them having not actually achieved anything on their own, but become "managers" for Daddy. But how about racing cars, or climbing a mountain, racing yachts like good little rich boys? Do they have to kill these magnificent animals? Unique animals with family lives and memories, that mourn their dead. That are not predators, that will not threaten humans, unless their offspring are threatened. And they will not even eat us IF they happen to kill us!
Does Eric or Jr., need the trophy to stroke to prove their masculinity? Maybe pump themselves up before asking Daddy for a favor? "I'm an elephant killer, I can do this, I can do this..."
IF the boys want to prove their manhood? Join the military, and do better then dear old, bone-spur Daddy!!
There's nothing lamer then hunting elephants. The methods are pure cowardice. They are often chased down, cornered and shot, but not always dead on first shot.
How many more "gifts" do narcissist rich guys need?
9
I tried to comment earlier, but the (new) system kept rejecting my comment. Personally, I think the only way to save elephants, rhino, lions, giraffe, zebra is to move/relocate them out of Africa. Neither the Chinese nor the Africans care about elephants (or ANY animals), and they have shown clearly that they intend to kill all animals they find. I realize it's not politically correct to point this out, even though it's obvious, but it still is probably the ONLY chance to save any of these species. We can be polite and politically correct, or we can really try and maybe succeed in saving one or two species.
1
Relocate them where?
It's not that Americans - at least under the Republicans - do any better here. Think of wolves, buffalo and many others. Now that we have saved them from the brink of extinction, the Republicans and NRA are opening killing season on them.
Some people - like Trump cutting off an elephant's tail - never develop compassion for other living things. Not even their fellow human beings.
5
I wish this article shared links of responsible organizations that help protect elephants. Any suggestions?
3
please please please leave the beautiful grey beings alone-why why do we need to kill these wonderful mammals? why why-leave them alone.
4
Like any of the sentimentalists commenting here are going to do a single thing to stop the continuing decrease in the number of elephants—how pathetic. Elephants are dying because there are too many humans now and there will be more
tomorrow. We humans can’t get along with each other. We are barbarous, mean and supremely selfish. What chance do unarmed animals have against us?
5
Overpopulation of wild elephants is what gives countries in Africa, like Zimbabwe excuse to hand out permits to hunt down elephants and let the locals have the elephant meat and use other parts of the murdered elephant for disgusting uses. On my way back from S. Africa, in 2004 I was sitting next to a man from Ohio who told me his story of his cowardly act of shooting down an elephant by aiming a bullet right between its eyes and then giving the meat to the locals who assisted him in the hunt for which he paid USD 2,000 just to take home the elephant feet and covert them into stools, so that he and his friends could rest their super sized butts. From very early days of my life, I saw the grace, thoughtfulness and gentleness of elephants and understood the worshipers of lord Ganesha, the elephant God. Harming an elephant was never going to be on my list of things to do, let alone blow an elephant brain. I applaud president Obama for the ban on slaughter of elephants for trophies and the sick uses of elephant parts. I also thank president Trump for upholding the Obama ban albeit until a study is completed on the conservation. Let me make it very clear that there is never a justification to not protect elephants anywhere. Let them die naturally of old age. Okay I hear you when I am told overpopulation becomes a nuisance for the locals and for other elephants. How has over population of humans been eased by China and India? Migration/transportation to greener pastures elsewhere.
3
I don't usually agree with the content of the NYT but in this case I do. There is no legitimate reason to kill these beautiful animals except the the maniacal egos of the People who do it. it has to be stopped
8
Thank you for caring.
6
In my mind, there is no singular image more indicative of the Trump family's predatory nature than that smug piece of garbage, Don Jr., smirking while holds up the tail of an elephant he'd just slaughtered in the wild. These people are so mindlessly selfish. Anyone who engages in large game trophy hunting deserves punishment.
The elephants are all going to die. It's over. Same for the polar bears. It's over. Orangutans, wolves, pangolins, tigers, you name it!! We have destroyed their habitats and reaped joy and profit from their slaughter and imminent extinction.
I feel empty and hopeless.
6
It's very sad and I don't know why we can't protect them..oh yeh, Trump Jr. needs a trophy.
5
We are the most senseless creature on this planet. Sickening and disgusting.
7
Ignorant and uncaring people will, regretfully, always be with us.
3
hoprfully after the human race self extincts - the elephants will be one of the species that survive - the world will certainly be a better place without humans.
7
Humanity cannot be wiped off the face of this planet fast enough.
5
There is no excuse for allowing these majestic animals to suffer. This makes Trump total trash. I’m all for hunting, but trophy hunters are senseless cowards, entertained by the death and suffering of animals, and poachers are pure evil.
Hillary Clinton deservedly lost, but this makes Trump a loser.
1
Elephants are also know to create wonderful abstract art. The efforts to save the elephants in Asia are to be commended. Once used only as a tool for deforestation, they now are retired to live and enjoy their surroundings. Save the elephants!
3
A primary reason we in the United States are unable to protect Elephants is that they are not a species that is located on our property. They are located in Africa.
My dream vacation since I was a child was to visit Africa to see the amazing wildlife. I no longer have that dream. It would be too depressing to visit now knowing that in my lifetime, all the large mammals, elephants, rhinos, lions, etc, will disappear from the planet except in a handful of glorified safari parks and zoos.
Man, by nature it seems, is set on destroying everything remarkable on our planet. We are like locusts but instead of destroying fields we are destroying the Earth.
Our endless demand for things, regardless of the consequences, will never cease. The world's population will never become educated or enlightened enough to curb population growth or adjust its behavior to live in harmony with our environment.
6
The revenue derived from taking elephants is well worth it. There are to many elephants. Their trophy value is exceptional. Their tusks are a luxury item. These animals rights people should simmer down. We are not taking all of them. Just a few.
You have no idea what you are saying. You are advocating removing the elders from the herds, which is the only means whereby elephant families can migrate successfully, find water and food during droughts, avoid at least naturally-occurring dangers, and successfully rear the little ones. Think of kindergarteners with no one to mind and direct and care for them. Killing the elders often dooms a whole family. Educate yourself.
2
I foster several elephant orphans through the Sheldrick Foundation in Kenya where they take a multi pronged approach to conservation..orphan rescue, reintroduction, emergency veterinary care in the bush and poacher interception and education. I urge people to explore all these saving efforts that are being made in African countries and support them. It is, as the author states, a complex problem. As we learn more about animals, we learn more about their conciousness, emotional lives and family/herd organization. We become closer to them in our own minds. I come from a hunting culture and family in the American south but was taught from the gift of my first gun at nine years old that we eat what we hunt, take no more than we need and never endanger the future of the animals. I no longer hunt, but many of my Appalachian neighbors do fill their freezers and feed their families with deer and turkey. Trophy hunting, on the other hand, is simply a distortion of the warrior archetype to feed the personal ego. It is barbaric and cruel. Rationalizing saving the endangered by killing the endangered is the kind of insanity that has brought us to this point. We are on the cusp of destruction with all the world's magnificent wildlife. We must be thoughtful and wise in our decisions.
7
Why can’t we settle elephants in the US? It seems worth pursuing as a means for protecting the species. Has this been examined as an option? Just curious.
Why Can’t We Protect Elephants?
Reporters ask easy questions. They should do the hard work of answering them by reading the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s letter justifying its reversal of the ban (or the short Q&A version); a 2016 report from the Democratic Staff of the House Committee on Natural Resources "Missing the Mark: African trophy hunting fails to show consistent conservation benefits”; and a 2013 study, “The 200 Million Question: How much does trophy hunting contribute to African communities?” (answer: 3%)
All debunk USFWS claims for reversing the ban on importing elephant trophies:
1) that well regulated hunting provides a benefit where endangered species are concerned
2) that hunting fees fund conservation efforts
3) that new data shows progress in protecting elephants
The 2013 report shows that hunting fees don’t fund conservation efforts managed in the community (the “boots on the ground”). The 2016 House report shows that the hunting in question isn’t well regulated. The USFWS letter shows that the “data” the agency claims show improvement isn’t data at all, but a program that Zimbabwe has put in place (it says) that will make things better. But a promise of better isn’t data.
Thank God for elephant census data provided in news reports, but the rest was a missed opportunity to show the USFWS is lying. And knowing who the liars are protects elephants. Reporters should know that, too. But they didn’t. Too much reading, apparently.
So after announcing he would lift the ban that would allow more elephants to be killed for trophy hunting, Trump then tweeted that he was putting the “big game trophy decision on hold” for further review. By now, it should be clear that this is a familiar scenario with Trump; it's just his way to confuse and distract people until the dust settles. Just as he had no intention of staying in the Climate Change Treaty following criticism of his decision to pull out, but pretended that he was considering it, I sincerely doubt he has any intention of changing his mind on this completely morally corrupt decision. He's just waiting for the media attention to die down and will go forward with this if he thinks he can get away with it. Actions speak louder than words, and the photo of his own son holding the tail of an elephant says it all.
38
The photo of young Trump standing with a knife in one hand and a severed elephants tail in the other is absolutely, without exception, the most disgusting thing I've seen in a very long time.
68
"The photo of young Trump.." depicts a 39 year old "man". And in accordance with male House of Trump family tradition Junior Trump has never been bravely, honorable and patriotic enough to ever worn the military uniform of any American armed force. Twitter fingering ad hominen slurs is what counts for "fighting" by a male Trump except for 11 year old Barron.
Donald John Trump's occupation of the Oval Office of our White House while hiding his income tax returns and business records and beholden to the political patronage of KGB/FSB Russian President Czar wannabe Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is the most disgusting and treasonous greedy inhumane evil thing that has ever happened in American history.
4
I could not agree more.
1
We do not live in an age that readily accepts the idea of moral absolutes but I'm going to state some anyway. Further, I'm going to say that anyone who disagrees with me is flat-out wrong. Killing elephants is morally corrupt. Killing them for sport is despicable and killing them for ivory is slime - disgusting beyond words. Those who do these things forfeit their right to be considered decent people and merit all manner of scorn, as do those who facilitate the ivory trade in any way. Further, we have an obligation to heap that scorn upon the heads of those who do these things. Public shaming is the best tool we have in this matter. The very idea that killing creatures is a "sport" is a moral corruption. Sport is where both teams have a level playing field and animals do not have guns. Those who hunt for the table can with justice point out that it is the way of nature for some creatures to eat others but those who hunt merely for the thrill of killing something are seriously deficient in empathy and a decent moral sense. Further yet, the argument that the fees and costs paid by these moral midgets supports "conservation" is nonsense. There are certainly far better ways to preserve endangered species than by killing some of them.
15
Why can't we protect elephants?
Maybe because we don't have any to protect. Elephants inhabit Africa and we are not an African country and have little control over African countries that have elephants.
Elephants are not threatened by safaris and big game hunters. They are threatened by ranchers and farmers who want them gone so they can use the land for their development.
Safaris and hunters actually want that land preserved. They are the closest things elephants have to friends.
8
They are threatened primarily by poachers who kill them for ivory.
2
People who kill elephants are not their friends. Your rationale is responsible for the disappearance of the rhinos.
2
You don't know history nor biology.
Americans protected the Passenger Pigeon so well they are extinct. And the American Bison nearly ended up the same way aka stuffed in a natural history museum. The Puma, Timber Wolf, Grizzly Bear and Bald Eagle are still threatened. Hunters and farmers are driven by corrupt crony capitalist corporate plutocrat oligarch welfare to kill animals and destroy their habitat.
4
What is interesting about this, the notation of the habitat loss, poaching, human encroachment is there is never a discussion of the massive expansion of population in the last 100 years.
Increases in health care means more humans live. The birth rates among the poor tribal societies ie India, Africa, South East Asia means an insatiable demand for land. The hundreds of millions of guns means that people will kill elephants, rhinos, bush meat.
The planet warms because people want cars, cook with fire and there is no technological fix for that. Yes I see a solar oven but....it isn't enough.
The problem is population growth and people cause the death of defenseless animals. The demographers note the population growth in the parts of the world least able to sustain it.
Trump is only part of the problem. The USA is part of the problem. People ARE the problem.
I have seen a herd of elephants circling their babies at a watering hole in South Africa. It was a powerful and vivid sight of animals who are defenseless against people and guns.
8
It's been a bad week for male behavior. Everywhere I turn I am reminded that women behave differently. I'm not saying that an endangered animal has never been shot by a woman who then has a picture taken with her holding a bloody tail in her hand, but I have to believe that it would be a rare event. I also wonder if Hillary would have tried to lift the ban on importing hunting trophies from Africa because Chelsea wants to continue to hunt wild game in Africa.
6
I felt sick to my stomach when I saw a photo of Don Trump Jr. holding an elephant tail he'd just sliced off a dead elephant. I just don't get it. I can only imagine how limited a human ego must be to need dead animal trophies for assurance.
10
`Why Can’t We Protect Elephants?'
Here's one reason.
A wealthy Republican donor has written a check with the expectation that someone will do him a favor. This particular Republican donor likes to sneak up on elephants and murder them. Why? He has an empty space above his mantle and he wants to place something there. Rather than a mirror or a painting, this Republican donor wants part of the elephant he murdered and watch butchered. Perhaps an eye or a tusk. Maybe even an ear. If you're Donald Jr., you have a penchant for elephant tail. Anyway, that's one of the reasons were can't protect elephants. Let's call it savagery.
7
What am I missing? What possible, even remote potential benefit come from lifting the rules and laws that currently govern trafficking in elephant parts,' to, from and within the U.S. Sorry, but I do NOT get this one. Does #45 want to purchase ivory for his own home? That, or any other reason is simply off the scale. The facts are simple: if most *Trade* in elephant parts is eliminated, most will vanish. OTOH, if it becomes legal again. WHY? Make a few bucks for the high end dealers in the U.S.? Satisfy a few wealthy U.S. collectors (who may contribute to a future campaign fund?) Why, Why WHY? When the rest of the world continues to say No to this slaughter, while the U.S. says yes, the population will fall even faster. President Obama continues the existing policies to ban trade in Ivory and with good reason. Does #45 truly HATE him so much that he will allow trade in elephant parts - and elephant slaughter - simply to make a point? What s simple minded fool he is! Those who voted for him are also fools. The number of voters who now regret their action grows daily, whether they admit it or not. What a genuine fool he is - and to think that his hand is but inches from the Red Button, truly frightens me. Would he nuke a Blue U.S. state? I have no assurance that he would not, other than great faith in the most senior of our military leaders. I AM frightened!
5
Of all the problems we confront as a country, how did elephants even end up on the list of policy moves that need to be made. Honestly, we have crumbling subways, drug epidemic, extreme wealth inequality, a crazy dictator with nuclear weapons, coastlines disappearing, mass shootings, broken healthcare system...and what is Trump and his advisors discussing this week---Elephants!!!
17
China is Sub -Saharan Africa's number one trading partner. Along with a multitude of gem, mineral, metal, wood and fossil fuel natural resources elephant tusk have a market in China. In exchange for access to African resources China is building African infrastructure across the continent using Chinese labor and materials.
Xi Jinping having been named the 1st Chinese "core leader" since Deng Xiaoping and the 1st Chinese Communist Party leader since Mao Zedong whose "thoughts" are worthy of study by CCP party cadres would agree with your prescription for America to stay out of Africa.
What percentage of Chinese have any African ancestry? President Trump was flattered into forgetting about American interests and values during his recent trip to Beijing. The Middle Central Kingdom ruling with the Mandate of Heaven welcomed the barbarian Donald and Melania Trump of the "Beautiful Country" as America is known in Mandarin to the Forbidden City. Trump foolishly believed that all of the colorful Chinese pageantry was a sign of respect.
1
ACJ, it's because people talk about things that interest them. They also enjoy distractions.
@ACJ--Many of us honor elephants because of their innocence, intelligence, loving natures, and purity of soul, much more than we honor the species that produce the horrible products and cruelties you list in your comment.
Humans are the most vicious, cruel, sadistic and destructive animals on Earth.
They are bent on destroying the planet. Perhaps the Great Spirit is concluding that the only chance is to save this planet is to lob another asteroid at it, like the one that hit it, 65 million years ago.
2
Trophy hunting is not putting a dent in the elephant population. The blame lies on China for the wholesale slaughter of sharks, rhinos, elephants, pangolins, vaquita (as bycatch of totoaba fish, caught for its bladder), seahorses, and just about every available turtle on the planet.
When Viagra hit the market, everyone thought the rhino was saved. Nope, instead the Chinese took rhino horn power, fortified with Viagra!
I suppose there is a nice way to tell China that they are the problem, but if someone has tried, it does not seem to having the desired effect.
3
So much idle talk about wild animals...and our right to annihilate them at will, is sickening, as we humans are the trampling beasts intent in destroying even our own habitat...in the name of greed. But asking savage Trump to exercise caution and restraint about easing restrictions to import trophies from Africa (following the 'kill' in cold blood) is like asking a swine to fall in love with classical music. Not only he wouldn't know what hit him, it would annoy his vulgar taste. And his sons, like father like son, impervious to decency.
4
Maybe there could be large elephant sanctuaries created that would have military to protect them from hunters and poachers. And maybe people who kill elephants once convicted should be kept in jail for a minimum of 10 years.
5
We have become by far the dominant animal. And what have done with our dominance? Paved paradise, put up a parking lot, replaced most wildlife with feeder lots. Humans don't deserve this planet.
4
Humans are so disgusting. We should all have to return, for part of our lives, as the animals that we torment and see how it feels. Soon, we will have devastated the animals and all the land that they use to feed and breed. I just don't get it.
2
Of all the stupid, idiotic things the president could do this has got to rank near the top. This animal is under terrible stress and the president decided, of all things, to increase the stress level. Thanks to whoever talked him out of it.
3
What we really need is a Madagascar size island that is patrolled by an international force from outside and is free of humans. All great living beings such as elephants will there and will be free to roam there without fear. Almost like Noah’s Ark. Actually we can just use Madagascar itself. Pay them well so they would vacate the island. All species then go there
"Between 2002 and 2011, 62 percent of African forest elephants vanished..."
There are two interlocked problems - Asian superstitions that drive the prices for ivory (and pieces of other animals on the brink of extinction) and population explosion in Africa where Western do-good NGOs reduced infant mortality without reducing the cultural imperative where a big family is seen as a sign of man's virility.
1
One has to wonder if humanity will soon follow those beautiful elephants into extinction, so burdened are we with raging mental health problems causing destructive and sadistic behavior.
The most dangerous animal in the world is a human male.
2
The article poses the question - what could justify the commercial hunting of endangered animals?
The answer - Donald Trump and his brood think they can.
These are disgusting days.
3
What Donald Trump says today changes tomorrow. We hope that he is capable of doing a good deed, even if it was put in place by Obama.
We are the most unfit animals to live on this planet. We despoil it, greed triumphs and every being suffers. Insect populations down, so many close to extinction. I guess Mother Nature will take over one of these days and we will be done. But whatever will happen to the rest of the beings that count this as home.
1
Honestly, and I mean this, I do not understand how anyone could kill an elephant. (Especially Donald Trump Jr. Doesn't he have enough stuff already?)
But elephants are among the most sentient animals we know. They love their offspring, taking care of them for years. They mourn the death of another elephant in its herd. They take care of a young elephant who has lost his/her parents. They recognize the faces of people who help them and those who do them harm. Think of what the world will be like when there are no more elephants....
4
I cannot help wondering why people can't find better use of their time than to hunt and kill these majestic yet defenseless animals. What's the goal if not to pose, as Donald Trump Jr. does, with an elephant tail in his hand. And/or to make money by selling elephant tusks to those willing to buy? It's a gut wrenching experience to read articles like these, while simultaneously realizing that we, who could do such good in the world, would act with such callus disregard. Of course this is not the only arena of life where the sacredness of life is violated. It is one that wounds the heart.
3
I’m appalled at the treatment of these beautiful , intelligent animals .
So rather than sleeping I attempted to find organizations that help the elephants in India -where the horrible photos of the mother and calf were taken. Who could sleep after seeing this photo?
It seems that Humane Society International ( HSI) is taking action with tip lines and rewards to report elephant abuse as well as making political and journalistic inroads.
Another organization that helps provide elephant corridors / safe passage by buying land and moving villages on voluntary basis is the IFAW ( International Fund for Animal Welfare).
Horrible situation that any feeling person will hopefully be compelled to take action .
2
Elephants are demonstrably sentient beings. Hunting them should be banned across the board simply for the morality of it.
2
I love elephants too. Because they are majestic, beautiful, and intelligent. People like Donald Trump, Jr. display none of these characteristics. That is why they cut off their tails.
2
We need to hunt the poachers and the people who buy elephant products. Maybe applying a little violence is the only way. Nothing else has worked.
4
I shouldn't read articles like this. They fill me with such anger and disgust. There will be a day sometime in the future when people will view the way that humans treated the other animals with which we share this planet in the same way that slavery or torture are viewed today. The slow evolution of human compassion is so sad.
1
My heart breaks for elephants: I can't even read the entire article because I will
break down in tears. I don't understand why apparently cannot protect
elephants.
2
Why Can't We Protect Whales? Why Can't We Protect Dolphins? Why Can't We Protect Porpoises? Why Can't We Protect Giant Pandas. Why Can't We Protect Sea Otters? Why Can't We Protect Black Rhinos? Why Can't We Protect Kids in Schools? People Living in So-called Marginal Neighborhoods? People Not Like Us? My guess. The political and social and ethical will is Dead. Dead. Dead.
2
I fail to understand why anyone would want to kill elephants, or any animal, just because they can. People who are cruel to animals are also cruel to people, and with the Trump clan, we see a perfect example.
1
Speechless with sorrow for these creatures.
3
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. The head of the family is willing--even eager--to incinerate an entire nation of humans with nuclear weapons. Why would he or his son show any concern for elephants?
4
I would love to know what an average citizen can do (if anything) to help this situation. This is a bleak story but I hope the author or other readers can list some political or charitable channels available to reverse this gruesome trend. Please advise.
3
What "hunting" prowess does it take to shoot the world's largest grazing animal with a high powered rifle? Eric and Don Jr. might as well blast away at dairy cows.
2
For the love of God, can't we just leave these majestic animals alone? Must we continue to destroy this beautiful species? Poachers need to be put in prison. Maybe then, they will think of another livelihood.
Why should anyone be surprised that Donald Trump would help destroy the last elephants?
And whose son would proudly pose with the the tail he cut off of an elephant he killed (how hard is that sport?)
A more insensitive and selfish president never existed.
Shame on my fellow Americans who elected this fool.
4
Of course elephants can be protected. But there's no "we" to do it. There are those who want to, and there are those who have no regard for nature, no interest in its future, no idea they're part of it; and who take pleasure in the anguish and anger they provoke when and wherever they can. Those people hate you, Ms. Shipstead. They like it that you care and they like it when you feel helpless and angry. Elephants, whales, the ANWR, endangered species; they're all just proxies. The target is people like you.
I think people should be able to hunt elephants but only on one condition: no weapons of any kind and you have to kill it with your bare hands. Then we'll see how tough hunters really are.
1
I am a former Marine infantryman, gun collector and target shooting enthusiast. I don't hunt and have no desire nor current need to do so. Those who do hunt to feed their families I respect. Those who kill for sport disgust me. The picture of Trump Jr. proudly holding the severed tail of a magnificent animal enraged me. I struggle daily to stay engaged in current events and have to fight hard not to turn away if for nothing else than to preserve my sanity and sense of humor. But that picture really, really got to me.
As others have already noted, what shooting skill does it take to hit an elephant? If you think it takes nerve think again. What you didn't see in the picture were the hired guides who backed little Donny up ready to shoot the animal if perchance Bevis missed because his little hands were shaking.
Bad enough that Daddy Trump and his ilk are doing their dead set best to destroy this Country's soul. Rescinding the elephant trophy ban so Trump could check off another Obama program kill goes beyond the pale in my book.
Bevis if you and your brother Butthead want some action as others have also noted, go to Afghanistan and hunt the Taliban. Word of caution--unlike peace loving elephants those guys shoot back.
3
I eat meat. I understand hunting for food. What I don't really understand how killing something would be fun. Only a sick mind thinks that killing is fun.
In order to take action as a country to protect elephants, we'd have to have a decent human being in the White House. He would also have to have raised decent children. We don't have that. Enough said.
2
It fits that Jr. Trump is a ‘big game hunter’ with a need for trophies or ‘wins’ like his father. Such perpetuation of violence and war on defenseless endangered persons and animals may provide a delusions of dominance or grandeur for the disordered character nurtured by ‘Trump-think.’
Real men shoot animals with a camera. Want a trophy, frame the photo or paint a portrait.
3
We live in nature in harmony with wildlife. It is against the rule of the natural world to kill them for money. The Trump administration should strictly keep restrictions on commercial hunting in Africa.
The photo of elephants running from firecrackers demonstrates what we believe is the most insidious threat to elephants — a sweeping shift in the cultural attitude toward elephants in South Asia. In producing our film about human-elephant conflict in the coffee plantations of India, “Elephants in the Coffee,” we found that people commonly referred to wild elephants as a “menace.” Thirty years ago in this primarily Hindu society, people commonly revered elephants as the living embodiment of the god Ganesha.
However, as India has industrialized and expanded its agricultural production, conflicts between humans and elephants have undermined historic respect for the animal. In rural areas, elephants are more likely to be seen as a pest than as a god. The common response of government and industry is to push for giant cages around national parks in an attempt to keep wild elephants isolated from humans. This seems little more than a hyper-expensive folly. We already have evidence of elephants climbing over tall iron fences, throwing rocks to knock out electric fences and walking miles to get around man-made trench barriers.
What we need is greater research into methods by which elephants and humans can co-exist without harming each other. Tata and Starbucks are using teams to follow elephants and warn workers away when the animals range through their coffee plantations. We suggest a pilot project of using aerial surveillance to track elephants in real time.
1
Wonderfully written and a tragic true portrayal. I've now (against my instincts) looked at the torture photo. It both haunts and ENRAGES. Honestly, I could witness with gratification the incineration of that psychopathic band of humans.
3
We can not protect animals because we are worse than animals.
1
As would be expected, many of the comments here are based upon emotion. However, elephants, like all other wild animals, are best served, as a species, by sound management practice and habitat preservation. In Africa, the countries with the healthiest and most sustainable elephant populations are those in which elephants, and other big game animals, have a value beyond that of their meat (or illegally obtained ivory), and where the populations are kept in check by scientific culling. Well managed trophy hunting allows this necessary culling process to produce huge economic returns for both the governments and the local tribal populations near the "concessions" -- areas leased to, and protected by, professional safari operators. In the case of Zimbabwe, it is sort of a chicken and egg situation. If elephant trophies cannot be exported, then these animals' only economic value is derived from illegal poaching. To local farmers, elephants are simply crop destroyers -- and for subsistence farmers no amount of first-world, emotionally based concern for the individual elephants will replace their economic losses. Banning trophy exports from Zimbabwe only insures a continuation of the dire situation elephants face there. Lifting the ban will make elephants valuable again, and in a way that is beneficial to the species rather than detrimental. This is the first step toward taking Zimbabwe back to the wildlife paradise that it was prior to its political upheavals.
After reading books such as "Beyond Words" by the ecologist Carl Safina, I am convinced that elephants are as intellectually sophisticated and emotionally complex as human beings, and they are absolutely devastated -- emotionally as well as physically -- by the slaughter we're perpetrating upon them. Hunting any animal for any reason other than subsistence is cruel, but elephants' level of consciousness makes them individuals, dare I say PEOPLE. Hunting them to the brink of extinction is an act on the moral level of genocide. We are the worst thing to have ever happened to them, and to many other species we share the planet with. If there's a god out there, we should only be so lucky if she's merciful, because we deserve a hundredfold the punishment that we're inflicting on this world.
3
Of all the despicable things trump has done, this made
me feel physically ill.
To think of murderingvthese magnificent animals
for trophies . And lions.
Animals are part of biosystems. We cannot live without them, I will never understand how humans can take
pleasure in murdering animals for their own glory.
It seems to me trump and these people 's only concern
is destroying everything that is good.
Clean air and water, open spaces and now animals.
I have never felt such despair.
3
What kind of people are we if we condone the slaughter of these intelligent, marvelous animals? There is no plea, no excuse that can overcome the brutality and infantile lust to kill something "huge". I'm disgusted by the very idea. Punish the perpetrators, exact huge fines and donate fines and the existing ivory to the replenishing of elephant habitat and safety.
3
I, too, have seen the photo of elephants on fire in India and it sickens me.
It also sickens me to see photos of the Trump boys with their African kills, including elephants, and Secretary Zinke as well. Now THERE is a man who loves to preserve the great out-of-doors. Real men don't need to kill endangered animals for fun.
Although I applaud the fact that the lifting of the ban has been put on hold, I have no confidence that the administration--or anyone in it--understands what has happened to wildlife across Africa (it is not just the elephant) and I fully expect that the ban will move forward under dark of night. There is MONEY to be made in ivory and hunting licenses and we all know that Trump's god is made up of dollar signs.
They say that before the PR drive in China to really make the Chinese understand the blood cost of buying ivory, the Chinese believed that ivory tusks just grow like hair. I understand that we all have blind spots where we indulge in fantasies to hide the ugly truth, but that is drinking the Cool-Aid that is beyond the pale for me.
This administration had better realize that if this ban is lifted they will be in a real fight! It won't be just in the US but a global fight. We all acknowledge that there are now levels of corruption that were unimaginable in the past; this is one issue where will be so much resistance that I hope they understand that it will be so much bigger than even their favorite lobby, the NRA, can't compete with us.
To the Times editorial board:
Thank you for devoting a space in your Sunday Opinions for this topic that is timely, both for the elephants as they face extinction and for the administration's temporary hold on lifting the ban. I sincerely hope that the President will read some of these comments and on other social media and understand that we are at a biological "hinge" for these empathetic, highly intelligent animals. If we don't put in place the strategies for saving this species now it will become too late to save the planet's largest land animal and one with which we share so much. Please keep talking about this in your paper; I fear the complacency of all of us in thinking that the lifting of the ban has been resolved. It has not.
1
I'd rather have our military killing poachers & militias to protect animals than wasting our time in the Middle East & other repressive, backward countries. There are billions of people on this earth while there are very few elephants. I vote for protecting the elephants.
3
This is wrenching and sickening. The elephants are being murdered by wanton killers. Such sadists don't deserve to have their motives ascribed to anything rational.
And this more than calls into question whether humans really are at the top of reasonable living beings.
2
How Sad that our President and his family is associated with the killing of these beautiful creatures. Hopefully the shame of seeing his son holding the tail of a dead elephant plastered all over the media yesterday, shamed him into reversing himself. Let's hope that Trump does have a little bit of shame.
If most of the insects are gone in urban areas and we cannot protect elephants and rhinos from going extinct and we can't prevent the rise of extreme right-wing governments then this planet is doomed.
Just one more assault on nature. Trump really is a cruel man. He cares little for defenseless people or defenseless animals. Pretty soon all we'll have left is abandoned shopping malls and oil rigs. When we lose our respect for living things that share this planet we are lost as a species.
My husband and I visited Washington DC last weekend and toured the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History with it's display of a large elephant up on a platform in the center of the main hall. It is an astonishing sight, so large, majestic, and completely overwhelming any childhood picture book image of "E is for Elephant". I was thrilled to see this animal but was uneasy with wondering how he came to be there--was he a trophy? And I wondered what is wrong--yes, wrong--with someone who could look at an animal so huge, iconic, and beautiful, and have their first thought be "where is my gun?" That isn't respect for nature--it is some weird psychopathy that needs to cause death to feel good. I support Quandry's suggestion that such hunters--like the Trump "kids"--could become the hunted in a modern version of Richard Connell's famous short story "The Most Dangerous Game". Then we'll see how they feel about hunting as "sport".
2
I am constantly aware of the moral arguments made to rescue animals from extinction while, at the same time, the vicious attacks on those who uphold morality as a worldview in which they choose to live.
There is or is not God. All other arguments or beliefs about morality are derivative of that fundamental truth, and appeals to a sense of morality made by those who do not believe in God ring very hollow.
Is there a self-interest or self-preservation argument to be made, for example, in curbing harm to the planet without having a belief in God? Yes, indeed. That is an existential threat to which all can adhere. Is there such an argument to be made about saving a particular animal species without introducing a variant of God-centered moral reasoning? Hmmm, that's a little more difficult to see.
Even the hostile comments about Donald Trump, Jr., when seen through the lens of "humans as mere evolved animals" make little sense. Furthermore, the elephant that Trump, Jr. shot may have been within a year of its death, and I see an active level of indifference applied to similar discussions of euthanasia or assisted-suicide by many of the same enraged souls who argue, in cases of euthanasia, that it is the best way when it is really self-interest in the defense of an objective.
We either have a roughly correlated moral code or we have "interests" that lock us in argument. That is why I choose not to judge someone's motivations for or against elephants.
1
Maybe the media could focus more on the plight of animals and wildlife as we keep violating their rights causing widespread pain and suffering - also with our industrial production of meat. We all need to get sensitized to these issues on a large scale. Most people think they are law-abiding ethical citizens without realizing the many crimes we collectively commit against the nonhuman populations on this planet.
1
I am so horrified that I am sitting here in tears as a read this article. I too have always loved elephants since as I child I read the Barbar stories. Elephants are smart, caring animals who love their families and do nothing to deserve such horrible treatment. The Trump boys make me sick with their trophy killings and pride in sadistic behavior.
2
Elephants are beautiful, highly intelligent and deeply feeling creatures who care for one another as members of a community.
Unfortunately, we cannot say the same for our President.
2
One has to wonder, what is it in humans that make some enjoy seeing animal (and human) suffering? In this case it's elephants, but we all know that cruelty exists in the human psyche. It seems to me that it is only recently that we have tried to discourage this type of behavior. It used to be celebrated and in some cultures it still is -- that's what bull fighting is about, among many other "traditions" that cause immense suffering to animals. Until we address the culture of cruelty in general I don't think we're going to see any change to actions like this.
1
The first time I experienced the horror of watching an elephant get shot by "big game hunters" was on a travelogue in the very early days of television. The programs was called, "Olsen and Johnson." Their treks took them into Africa and India but most in the sub-Saharan tropics and open plains of Africa. Killing elephants, big cats and water buffalo became the calling card of these so-called explorers. As I recall, it sparked an interest in big game hunting that continues to this day.
Everything about it was repulsive. The hunt; the shot; the animal drops. I have not recovered from those scenes.
So when I read that Interior Sec. Ryan Zinke and our tiny-brained Mr. Trump declared that the importation of elephant trophies would resume, thus reversing President Obama's order to ban those imports, I could not believe what I had just heard.
By the end of the same day, the rage from wildlife supporters turned the tide, at least temporarily, as Trump announced that his decision was "delayed."
When will all of this madness end?
At 73, I am hoping our nation can recover from this intellectual blight upon our fragile democracy before I die. I do not want to witness our country circling the drain like this. For Trump & Company, it is all about someone making money from the misery forced upon our planet, our people, and our fauna. It is about environmental destruction for the sake of greed. Pure greed.
Resist!
1
"Why Can't We Protect Elephants?"
Well, of course, in this case, because it's something the Obama Administration did. The Trump Administration objects to anything it's predecessor did. Appalling, especially when they overturn sensible flood insurance regulations just before major hurricane flood damage. Or, yes, small protections for elephants.
Petty and small, small, small is running the country. I've heard people say "stupid" is running the country, but that's not it at all.
We can't protect elephants because we don't live where the elephants live.
There, tillable land is scarce, the vast majority of the people are poor, and famine is always a fear.
Elephants take up massive amounts of land. If they are valueless, and they are if their ivory cannot legally be sold, then the people will see them for what they are to them: pests that eat the food they could otherwise feed to their hungry children. They will poach them and help other poachers kill them.
That, at least, makes them of some value.
If ivory, from elderly or already dead animals, can be sold, then they have value. The people who are killing them now will protect them.
The current policy, forbidding them and their ivory from being touched, is what is killing them. As a result of this policy, they are headed straight for extinction.
If you could see past your ideologies, and determination to blame Mr. Trump for everything you don't like, you'd see that.
For once, accomplish what you claim to want. Make elephants valuable to the people among whom they live, and they will survive.
I think it sad, perhaps even worse, that we as a species fail these creatures that rely on our assistance to save them. What will it take to reverse the slaughter of elephants and other wildlife for future generations before the last of them is felled? Are we as intelligent as we like to credit ourselves?
I too have been haunted by that photo of the mother and baby elephants on fire. I wake up at night and see it in the dark above me. To say it makes me cry is inadequate. The best description is that it provokes a deep, wrenching heartache.
Sometimes I wish I could understand the mentality that thinks it's okay for human beings to throw firecrackers and flaming tar at wild creatures who seek only to be allowed to live in the ways and places that Mother Nature designed them to live.
But I can't understand that, any more than I can understand the mentality of the spoiled, super-rich Trump boys, who obviously feel entitled to take even more from the world than they already do, which is far more than they give back to the world.
Don Jr. and Eric seem entitled to fly (in their own airplanes or other luxurious private jets, no doubt) to Africa for the sole purpose of killing majestic endangered animals… and for which, in the end, they get nothing more than a brief thrill and a photo op. (Unless of course, once the current brouhaha dies down, they can once again persuade their powerful Papa to let them bring home a nice assortment of elephant and lion heads and tails to hang on the walls of their gilded homes.)
Truly, the heart bleeds.
1
The plight of elephants moves me to tears. The cruelty man shows to these magnificent creatures can really never be forgiven, at least as far as I’m concerned.
2
If anyone really wants to save the elephants, they should pay attention to economic theory and the negative effects of creating artificial scarcity, as well as how it increases demand. Here's the drill - tell African countries to put every single tusk (of which they have mountains of stored in huge warehouses) on sale immediately. Open the market, end the restrictions. That single act would do more to save the elephants than anything else, because it would flood the market with ivory, drastically reduce the price and eliminate the incentive to kill them for their tusks. But, American do-gooders find that offensive....even though the money it raises could also help the economies of those places, which are so poor. But, they never think in those terms, so day by day, more elephants get shot - and over time, all that will be left will be tens of thousands of confiscated tusks in those warehouses, but no elephants.
An elephant herd is a matriarchy led by the eldest female her sisters, their daughters, grand daughters and sexually immature males. Sexually mature young males live in bachelor herds while the older males lead solitary lives as bulls until they are driven to mate by a hormonal driven frenzied state known as musth.
As the currently longest lived and largest land mammals there is an intergenerational family dynamic of relationships, knowledge and experience that is essential to their evolutionary natural fit selection and survival. Ecological relationships are the related roles that organisms play between each other and their environmental habitat. As long as the demand for elephant ivory by Asians is more profitable than the tourist trade viewing wildlife elephants are doomed. No one knows what impact that will have.
Don, Jr. and Eric Trump are no more hunters than the human beings who slaughter chickens, turkeys, pigs, sheep, goats and cattle are hunters. Indeed, since the Trump boys are not hunting for defense nor food they are worse than slaughterers of domestic live stock. Trophy hunting of endangered species is an exemplar human savagery and greed. But elephants are more seriously threatened long term by growing human populations and their habitat destruction than they are by hunting.
1
Why can’t we protect elephants? The answer is simple. We (Americans) can’t protect elephants, because we don’t have any. A better question would be, why can’t Africans protect elephants? The answer is probably because they are poor, have weak corrupt governments, and don’t want to bad enough.
But then we might ask, why can’t we protect our wilderness and wildlife? We are quite wealthy, have a very strong and somewhat honest government. It’s probably that, like Africans, we just don’t want to bad enough. Africans are poor. We don’t have that excuse. Perhaps someday we will be willing to choose the environment over our material standard of living. But I wouldn’t hold my breath.
The Elephant species is clearly more evolved than Homo Sapiens.
If there was ever any doubt, there is none any longer.
It is easily apparent: they do not kill for sport.
This truly makes me sick! Burning elephants for pleasure? Seriously?
Have we no decency as a species?
1
The gop and their kind care for other living things only in the context that these beings fit one of two criteria: 1) that they can be converted into profit or, 2), that they have "souls" that can be "saved" from a god that will punish them. Free, wild animals have little appeal to them. Of course, human religion is a shoddy product in comparison to nature's magnificence and profit is just a short -term, grasping pleasure. too to be proud of this country or my own species to even try.
Why Cant' We Protect the Elephants?
Because we can't protect ourselves,
we won't be far behind the elephants: either way.
1
I can only say: "Shame on all of us in the mis-named Civilized World"! These wondrous creatures which we call "elephants" make all of us humans appear ridiculous and uncaring. And that appearance is well deserved. I am very glad I will not be around when the last elephant is taken from us. SHAME !!!
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Thanks Bernie supporters that did NOT vote for HRC. The results of your self-righteous and know-it-all-idealism now make it to the beleaguered elephants.
At least Man deserves its comeuppance. What the elephants did to become part of your folly escapes me.
1
It disturbs us so (as it should) when hundreds of mature elephants and their babies are shot (and trophies exhibited) but we just can't seem to find the guts to push back against those with the insatiable compulsion for more and more guns and the desire to shoot human adults and children.
After a parental scolding and my apology to my Mother she would admonish me with "sorry is as sorry does". Seems most fitting now.
For those who would like to read an inspiring and tragic story about elephants should read "The Elephant Company" by Vicki Croke. Let's hope these amazing animals find sanctuary in our overcrowded and dangerous world.
Because Humans seem to hate the planet they live on, and just want to burn it all down, mow it down or otherwise foul their own nest. It seems that no matter how hard some of us try for peace and a better life for all, someone else is trying to break things and hurt the place we live.
On their next African safari, Trump's sons could become the hunted themselves, by illegal elephant poachers. Poachers have been known to do that while illegally hunting elephants and other wildlife. Furthermore, it takes no skill to kill the other wild animals shown in some of Donald Jr's pics on the news.
Better still, for their adrenalin rush and real service for our country, they as members of our 1%, could join our 1% military, and see how brave they are in real combat, when their lives are at stake instead of hunting helpless wildlife in Africa, which is becoming extinct, due to over-hunting . In the meantime, this shows their stupidity and inhumanity towards nature.
And the Donald himself, needs to spend more time to improve his own polls on our national business, rather than contemplating family entertainment with Zinke, as to whether or not his sons should be allowed to assasinate elephants in Africa, to extinction.
52
It boils down to greed. Too many people want what they want when they want it and think the world owes them something. It's me, me, me, all the time. We've been given these wonderful brains and use them to think of new ways to kill, pollute, and have more. Religions have taught variations of the gold rules for thousands of years but still too many people think their own pleasure comes before anything else.
The question is, how do we make people care?
39
We need to stop illegal poaching, focus on preservation of habitat, and increasing education and awareness to protect elephants and secure space for them to roam. Creating local conservationists through scholarships, internships and mentoring. Reducing the demand for ivory. We all need to protect elephants and their habitats. Elephants live in close family groups, have intelligence and empathy, we as a world need to appreciate these wonderful large mammals.
23
It is such a complex problem, but I think it comes down to compassion for life.
Do we value this compassion of caring for ourselves, for our neighbour, for our animals that are part of our home?
We have technology that could track and protect these animals if the necessary resources are given. Companies like google/apple could be forced to utilize up their offshore-bank amounts: to create protective drones (in the air), high-tech armies on the ground and educational programs based on the Allen Savory's findings about their ability to aid reversing climate change. Carbon taxes can even be utilized for this as well.. to aid farmers and create insurance funds that helps farmers and the people in Africa in overcoming hardships. The creative options are endless…
Let's wake up and elect leaders based on their ethics and morals not just their ability to make business deals...
And in the end we have to realize - money gets created out of nothing, we are the ones that give it value with our actions...
29
There is a great documentary, "The Ivory Game", that shows what a horrific tragedy this is. I just pray that the ban stands indefinitely and that it serves as an example for other countries.
23
Beautiful piece. elephants are deeply embedded in our sense of being human. Let's save what is left. Children love elephants, and they are perhaps our better selves. Let's defeat Trumpism and help Africa to achieve better governance. God bless the elephants and help us to stop our current madness.
45
Who got to Donald Trump between Thursday and Friday? Somebody had an influence on him to rethink the lifting of this ban. With an attention span of a four-year-old (apologies to all four-year-olds), he isn't capable of getting there on his own. I just hope it sticks and that the ban stays in place. What a tiny "victory" in this mess of a presidency... but we'll take it. Thank you, whoever you are.
51
Don't blink. The ban can be lifted in a heartbeat.
1
Don't get your hopes up. This is probably one of his now familiar distraction techniques. He did the same thing with the Climate Change Treaty, making many people believe he was considering staying in it while he had no intention of doing so. Trump has been very consistent on his all out war on the environment, and preservation of endangered species and wildlife habitat is obviously not a priority for him to say the least.
1
That photograph haunts me, too. Makes me sick actually. I feel that way about the photos that come out from the Dog Meat Festival somewhere in Asia. I would look it up but the mere thought of it makes me want to vomit.
I am trying to work my way towards being a vegetarian and I have photos/videos like that one to thank for that epiphany. Although I have long had dogs, I used to see dogs as exempt because of attributes unique to dogs. You can thank You Tube for my gradual awakening to the many talents that animals exhibit. I know now, for example, how clever dogs can be--but also how loving elephants are.... I know deer play. I know birds recognize faces and that their calls have meanings. I know cows are petrified when being led to the slaughter house. I know elephants are sensitive, empathetic and kind. I know cockatoos dance. I know pigs show a sense of humor. I know orangutans keep kittens as pet and can do sign language. I could go on and on....
In other words, I can no longer see animals as inanimate objects the way I was taught to do.....and that makes eating them increasingly controversial for me.
At this moment, I am not entirely a vegetarian but training my self to get there as it is the morally correct choice for me. I think if you want elephants to get their dues, we must extend some of that respect to all animals. They are as capable of empathy, suffering, reason, communication and therefore, worthy of respect.
58
I'm vegan, because the suffering of dairy cows and egg producing chickens is also horrific.
1
The author neglected to mention all of those heroic animal rights activists who harassed children and drove Ringling Brothers into eliminating elephants from the circus. Lacking a personal connection and experience with these magnificent animals, future generations will not know and care much. Without the funds from today’s more humane circuses, captive breeding programs such as Ringling’s in Florida will become unsustainable. Their self-righteous actions will have contributed to the demise of the animals they sought to save. Congratulations on a job well done.
8
Breeding animals to be money-makers in a circus does not "educate" anyone. It just makes a profit for the circus.
2
There are ways to help children connect with these animals that are humane and respectful . One is by reading about them and donating to organizations that protect rather than exploit their intelligence and beauty .
I have a 5 year old grandson . So I know this works.
2
The lives of circus elephants was no picnic, often full of suffering and abuse. Don't blame the activists. Blame greed and twisted hearts.
2
Jealous and determined once more to extinguish a creature that's larger and more magnificent than himself.
29
i gotta say when i read he was going to lift the ban my thought was why would he go out of the way to make his political party's mascot extinct, even quicker?
19
Those of us who care about protecting these magnificent creatures need to write to Trump and encourage him to make sure than no trophies may enter the US. To accomplish this we need to play upon his ego, which seems to be the only thing that matters to him. Tell him that banning such trophies will make him a hero for all time. Such ego-polishing is worth it. The elephants matter more than our own egos.
20
Elephants are a higher life form than humans if behavior is a guide.
1
Elephants carry their young for nearly two years before giving birth. During that period hundreds of elephants can be slaughtered, which means that it takes two years to replace a single dead elephant. So, the belief that trophy hunting of elephants is necessary to conserve them is absurd.
Why do we even have to think of allowing the killing of these remarkable, intelligent creatures? To satisfy some whim? To give hunters false macho pride? That photograph of Uday Trump holding a severed elephant tail sickened me. Let's leave these marvelous mammals alone.
110
What about "these marvelous mammals" know as human beings?
World War I and World War II were monuments to human immoral mayhem. With 30 million dead Chinese beneath Imperial Japan and 27.5 million dead Soviets beneath Nazi Germany being mere holocausts than the Holocaust. America's invasion and occupation of Iraq and support for Saudi genocide in Yemen concerns me more than elephants dying.
1
Great article. Coincidentally, or maybe not, elephants were on PBS Newshour last evening. Faye Cuevas a former Lt. Col. In the Air Force specializing in counterinsurgency is in Kenya helping to protect the elephants. Saw her last evening on a PBS Newshour segment. Living there now full time with her three children. She is doing a great job. How she puts her military experience to work capturing poachers.
The link is below.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-lessons-from-fighting-terrorism-ar...
20
Ms. Shipstead gives lip service to the justification for trophy hunting and her offhand reference to it concedes that it might work, but not in Zimbabwe. What she tells us about Zimbabwe is what any informed American knows -- that Mugabe is under house arrest.
The argument for American trophy hunting is that the hunters pay exorbitant amounts for permits. Because of the huge payments, landowners are inclined to open their land to elephant herds. That is partuclarly constructive for a number of reasons, including the fact that these landowners bar poachers who are killing the animals for ivory.
Look, I am not an expert about elephant preservation in Africa. But it is clear that what seems counterintuitive may work -- issuing 400 permits may save 2,000 animals. Conservation of the elephant population is purely a numbers game. Whatever strategy results in more elephants surviving is the right strategy. The context of the problem includes matters we are not familiar with -- abject poverty, poachers, and unstable governments. I'm in favor of whatever solution leads to the highest survival rate. Ms. Shipstead has appealed to my emotions. But this problem calls for empirical evidence which she simply fails to present.
6
There is no good argument in favor of killing elephants, including what you espouse.
Take your desire to save the "most" elephants one step further to "all" elephants.
Why can't people pay fees to keep them alive, to see the elephants in their natural environment, and not to kill them? Support the elephants and their caretakers, and the local farmers and herders. Obviously there are a lot of people out there with a lot of money. Why don't they just as proudly display photos of the elephants that they were able to "shoot" with their cameras? Why not be a Sponsor of elephants, and display some sort of certificate on a wall? I think most people would be more impressed with that display of kindness and generosity in your home, rather than an animal that you murdered.
How is it "sporting" to kill something that big that can't fight you back (and doesn't want to fight you back unless you threaten them or their family)?
What warped sense of "masculinity" do you have? (Mostly men doing this. Unfortunately, some women are involved as well).
I grew up in the Bronx, two miles away from one of New York's treasures, the Bronx Zoo. What magnificent animals they are. Who in their right mind can see them, especially with how they interact with their young, and think to themselves that they wish they could murder them, from afar, with the "latest" gun toy, and then display that animal in their home, showing the world what "great sportsmen" they are. Such insecure, selfish, evil people.
1
Elephants are sentient beings. There is no excuse for hunting them for pleasure. Money given to conservation efforts can not justify the murder of any single one of these intelligent animals.
Besides, how much of that money actually gets to the right people? From what I have heard not much.
35
Agree, agree, agree.
As a 45 year long vegetarian, I find the desire to shoot a living creature for "fun" disgusting. I can look away if the animal is to be eaten (still don't like it) but shooting an animal for "sport" is -- no other word -- disgusting.
It shows how low we are as a country that the POTUS thinks lifting this ban is a good idea. UNCONSCIOUS people. Running the country, everywhere.
If that makes me an "elite" (and I laugh every time I think of that word) then I stand guilty as charged along with millions of others across this globe. We get it: protect animals and the environment, support the weak, the frail, the elderly, the infirm and stand by the disenfranchised. Put others before self. Put country before party. Put people before GREED.
Elephants are very smart. The are dominated by the matriarch. They under assault by ignorant people. Sound familiar?
Torturing an animal is a sign of cowardice. It displays callousness, profound disrespect for life and a level of cruelty that will surely pass into human interaction. President Trump has no capacity for shame or embarrassment, and his sons are the same. I find it sickening and terribly distressing that this piece had to appear in the Times at all. But, thank you, Maggie Shipstead. Keep up the good work!!
AND, everyone, please give generously to all the animal organizations that are striving to protect animals from this kind of behavior all over the world. There are many -- just look online.
73
We must do better for all wildlife, elephants, lions, polar bears...our consumption continues the devastation of many ecosystems. If we think it's not going to hurt us, we're not paying attention. As with climate change, it sneaks up on you and then it's either much harder or too late to really make a difference. But more of us must wake up, We can do better!
21
I, too, saw that devastating, horrific photograph, and was literally haunted by it for days. I also read that the panicked screams of pain from the baby elephant, in particular, were gut-clenching. It enrages and sickens me that humans are so barbaric, savage, and wantonly cruel to innocent animals. As humans, we have what I believe is a sacred stewardship obligation to all of Mother Nature's creatures: in the air, on land, and marine life as well - we are the only creatures capable of protecting and saving them; unfortunately, we are also the only creatures capable of destroying every single living creature on earth, and, indeed, our entire planet. Trophy hunting of any kind is not hunting at all - it is simply wanton slaughter of animals, and it should be outlawed permanently. I am not given to seeking revenge, but am not certain that had I been in the vicinity of those elephants who were literally set on fire, I would not have taken drastic action against those savage barbarians. Let us all take a stand for the magnificent creatures whose survival depends upon our grace and wisdom - they share our planet, and only we can save them. 11/18, 4:58 PM
80
I have traveled all over this planet. I have seen the great herds of the Masai Mara, the Great Apes, the amazing flora and fauna of the Amazon, and much more. What we have already done to this planet, and its many, now often-endangered, life forms is nothing short of criminal. There is no need for hunting for survival - with very few exceptions in very remote areas of the earth. Anyone who wears a real fur coat should be imprisoned; anyone buying rhino horn or elephant ivory likewise. Trump treats killing like he treats people - those with less power are at the mercy of those with more; those with the most guns rule. He lives in a zoo of his own making, and should have, long ago, seen the world as it really exists outside of Trumpworld! He is an ignorant, narcissistic sociopath who would kill this planet for $$.
1
By God or Gaia, the living earth itself, our species is called upon to be noble stewards of each other and all life on this planet. If you listen with your whole being in a state of awe and wonder and gratitude, you can hear the call. It is not too late. A complete shift in consciousness is possible. Something wonderful may happen. Listen.
16
"What could justify the commercial hunting of threatened animals?" What?
A heartbreaking read.
23
That first paragraph is gut-wrenching. These gentle giants deserve so much better. Sometimes I despair of the human race.
48
Unfortunately, I now always despair of the human race. We are a cancer on this planet.
1
I often despair of the human race.
The problem is unchecked population explosion of people in third world countries where most of the elephants live. The existing land is less and less able to sustain both people and elephants. The hunters are just a few years ahead of the eventual demise of the elephant population.
Solution is birth control for the exploding third world countries
73
Euthanize the developing world? In reality population growth is essentially over. There are only going to be 20 - 30% more people on the planet.
The reality is that hunters - look up Ducks Unlimited - care more for wild animals than city dwellers who believe nonsense like this article do. Where does the author demonstrate that trophies brought into the USA promote poaching, ivory trade or cruelty to animals? Demonstration and proof is not required when preaching to the choir.
Here are some factual errors/omissions:
1) Is there any evidence for controlled, licensed hunting taking down a species?
Nope.
2) Is there evidence for 'green' biomass eliminating species?
Yup.
The answers start within. The urban intellectuals who run the NYT and the Democratic party in the US will have to wake up and smell the coffee if they want to win another election. Holier than thou will not cut it.
1
It's not just elephants, it's also orangutans, etc. We can all help by reducing deforestation and consuming and investing more responsibly at home and in third world countries. Animals we keep for industrial meat production also suffer at our hands. Pharma and cosmetics experiments harm animals here in the U.S. We are all called upon to address these crimes. Here is a memorable item from NPR that provides a glimpse of who some of the nonhumans are that live among us humans:
https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/10/24/559837354/watch-the-moment-...
17
The question is, unless a person's family is starving to death and they plan to eat an entire elephant, why do we need to kill them for a photo op? Trophy hunting is just another example of all-too-frequent human depravity
The picture of Donald Trump, Jr. Posing with an elephant tail, made me realize what a disturbed individual he is. It takes a lot of marksmanship to be able to shoot an "elephant" from 20 feet. I feel sad that the Trumps and what they represent, greed, and entitlement still have a wide support in our society.
137
Are you "disturbed" eating chicken, pork, fish or beef?
Are you "disturbed" eating plants aka leaves, tubers, fruits or seeds?
1
Humanity has been too "successful" for its own good. We are decimating not just elephant populations, but also those of birds, butterflies, corals, polar bears, whales, fishes and many more species each with their own unique intelligence specially adapted to their environments.
We seem to have an obsession with procreation. If Earth is a Garden full of an amazing variety of fruits and flowers, we have become an invasive weed.
As we plunder the world we plot our own demise. We tout our own "extraordinary" intelligence - even in this fine article there is a whiff of that arrogance. But we are so stupid that we can't stop reproducing, and the fighting for increasingly scarce resource will certainly escalate.
80
Lest we forget, this is the administration that ok'd killing bears and wolves in their dens while hibernating--including cubs/pups. How likely do we think it is that elephants will remain protected by the likes of these folks?
Of course. We are to the earth as weeds. Why didn't I think of that?
1
Thank you for this well researched, passionate discussion about these wonderful creatures.
35
When it comes to environmental issues, Donald Trump has a way of deciding matters in a way that has as its principal point the eliciting of outrage and dismay in those whom he considers his political foes. E.g., his actions in the cases of the Keystone XL pipeline and DAPL; the Paris climate accord; the reduction of national monuments; the attempt to revive the coal industry; and the promotion of oil exploration and drilling. So it should surprise no one if in fact he lifts the ban on importing animal trophies. The consultation he will be doing now is no doubt finding out how his ask-no-questions base would take it.
10
Is it me, or does Trump just seem like an essentially spiteful human being? The more he destroys, the more he just seems to embody spite... I've never looked at another person in the same peculiar and heartsick way that I see him.
1
It is grotesque and heartbreaking what humans will do not only to their fellow species but especially to the other wondrous creatures with whom we are blessed to share this magical and beautiful planet.
As you point out Ms. Shipstead, elephants are extremely intelligent and abide by complex family relationships. They mourn their dead and visit family "grave sites" indefinitely. Anyone who can kill an elephant for "sport" is capable of any kind of cruelty. Such a person obviously has no empathy and is devoid of any true compassion or of a loving soul.
I would urge everyone to contract their federal representatives and demand the ban on elephant "trophies" (what a bizarre word to apply to a dead body) remain permanent and that we show more leadership here in the United States in protecting these amazing creatures. And please give to the Word Wildlife Foundation project that protects elephants by funding ranger training, equipment and, in some cases, salaries. For those who have all they need, such a gift in their name is a marvelous Christmas present!
82
Once those without a voice are gone, who will speak up when they come after us.
3
Of the 2.3 million Americans in prison who make up 25% of the world total with 5% of humanity 40% are black like Ben Carson and was Tamir Rice even though blacks are only 13.2 % of Americans. Barack Obama was half black African Kenyan Luo Muslim. Kenya has elephants. America has zoos.
Black lives matter!
I support WWF and BLM.
1
It was 1991 when Peter Matthiessen wrote "African Silences" -- precisely about this same topic: the decimation of the African elephant population.
How can it be, over 25 years later, that we are confronting the same question?
It's almost as if humankind wants to willfully forget the past.
16
There is ample scientific evidence that animals feel pain and have emotions. They also have social norms, make decisions, etc. Elephants are some of the most developed. A major difference between animals and humans is that humans can and do inflict pain and suffering on a very large scale. Why do we do this? It is revolting to observe what humans do to animals, wildlife and ecosystems, none of which can fight us on equal terms. It makes me feel ashamed to be part of the human species. If we stay on this track, there will be consequences much larger and more negative than most of us can imagine, because nature is more powerful than all of humanity.
100
Nonsense born of scientific ignorance.
Humans evolved as primate apes in Africa 300,000+ years ago driven by evolutionary fit natural selection to crave fat, salt, sugar, water, habitat, sex and kin by any means necessary including conflict and cooperation. Finding those resources used to be very hard and we were very active and did not live more than 40 years.
Humans are animals. Most animals are extinct. Having failed to leave the most best adapted offspring over time is the definition of evolutionary fit natural selection failure and success.
1
This situation is so depressing that the only solace I find is what you said: nature is more powerful than all of humanity. I, too, feel ashamed to be a man and human.
Now I am haunted by that photograph of the mother elephant and her child because I know they feel excruciating and unnecessary pain through no fault of their own, for someone else's sick idea of pleasure. It's truly heartbreaking.
Thank you for this wonderful piece, Maggie. It is a wonderful tribute to the majestic elephant and humanity's need to stand for their preservation and survival. I've been awed by their beauty for a very long time and do not understand how any human being with a sense of morality would even consider killing any animal for sport or fun. My heart breaks each time a senseless act takes an elephant's life and then is heartened by places like the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee and the David Sheldrake Foundation in Kenya who each in their own way, work to save elephants and to give them better lives. It is a sad comment on our humanity when money is still the driving factor in so many acts of destruction we humans inflict on animals, other humans and the planet. The planet and it's animal inhabitants would be better served if we led from our hearts, not driven by economics.
21
I share Maggie Shipstead's well-justified fear for these magnificent animals.
But if we really want to save the elephants, it's crucial we focus our efforts on halting the trade in freshly-obtained (and thus typically poached) ivory.
Sadly, many recent new American laws, particularly at state levels, have also placed blanket prohibitions or drastic restrictions on the sale and transport of objects that contain antique ivory in exceedingly small amounts (e.g., vintage guitars and mandolins). The penalties can be draconian; the burdens of proof in certifying the ivory was obtained before the Endangered Species Act often unrealistic.
True, some overseas dealers in poached ivory try to smuggle it into America by artificially aging bulk shipments of it. But I'm talking about small pieces that can, for example, cause the innocent transport of a century-old musical instrument to be deemed a criminal act. (There was already one incident of bagpipes being seized at the U.S. border after a Canadian piping competition because they had old ivory components. Fortunately, the instruments were returned to their owners.)
What is to be done? Instead of passing feel-good laws in the U.S. that mostly ensnare legitimate antique dealers, collectors and musicians, we must prioritize pressure on China and other Asian nations -- by far the hugest market for fresh ivory -- to actually enforce their new laws against this heretofore open and obscenely lucrative trade.
8
Traffickers try to pawn off fresh ivory as antique. The presumption should be that all ivory is fresh and the result of the killing of an elephant now.
Under the circumstances, collection of ivory products fosters this terrible trade. There is no need for I when elephant lives are at stake.. Chinese folks need to be educated that their cultural affinity for ivory is fostering the extinction of elephants.
Thank you for this piece Ms. Shipstead. We absolutely have to unify to protect our last wild places and the wondrous creatures who inhabit them. Poaching and habitat loss are threatening elephants, rhinos, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, among other species, in Africa. Orangutans are on their way out in Indonesia, in large part thanks to the palm oil industry. In this country we are talking about selling off our most precious unspoiled public lands for industrial development. This is unconscionable! We really must wake up and start protecting our planet and its incredible biological diversity. If we don’t, too soon it will be too late. Thanks again for writing this.
14
Elephant hunting is not the same as poaching or killing for fun which the author seems to dwell on. The reality is that hunting an elephant costs a lot of money, making a healthy population of elephant an economic necessity in Africa. The author also conflates ivory trade with trophy importing, which are not connected. No one spends $30k for a license and another $20k on travel to illegally sell ivory for a few thousand dollars.
In the USA hunters pay for species management, (whether urban-based writers like it or not), its a fact. Perhaps in some future world where Africans are deciding whether to get a latte or a cappuccino elephants and the wild areas they need can be preserved with laws and law - abiding citizens. Until then private/public large game preserves funded by hunters will be the backbone of species survival.
I would also point out that the number one reason for habitat loss on the planet in the last decade has been to make way for biomass 'green' energy.
4
That wealthy 'hunters' want to kill a member of an endangered species and then display a 'trophy' is nauseating. If they cared about habitat preservation why not join a group on a camera safari and bring home photos of these magnificent creatures rather than dead body parts?
1
Elephant hunting is not the same as killing for fun? Then what is it for? Americans don't eat elephants. And if Americans were doing it just to help indigenous people, then why not provide these people with funds instead? Stating that it is an economic necessity in Africa begs the question - benefit to whom? So far, studies show the benefits going to corrupt government officials, not the people. So far, elephant (and other big game hunting) is simply a cruel hoax that benefits the blood thirsty rich, nothing more.
Hunting an endangered species and paying big money for it is not helping the species. Why not just donate the same money to conservation efforts that they would spend to hunt the elephants? Also your "green" sentence at the end of your comment makes no sense - what are you talking about?
The proposed lifting of the lifting of the ban is inhumane and an outrage. Elephants around the world are in danger and should continue to be protected. To lift existing protections on these beautiful animals makes no sense and is cruel. I am left speechless by this spectacle of indecency.
16
To allow more money to be poured into the offshore pockets of the super wealthy, the Congressional Republicans are eager to deprive hundreds of thousands of people health care knowing it's inescapable impact on their life expectancy. I don't think we can expect much pity from them for the survival of an elegant and noble animal.
16
It is no defense to wealthy hunters of elephants that their fees to hunt support conservation programs. If you really want to support protection of elephants, just donate the 1000's of dollars to protect elephants. Certainly, you can afford to do so.
32
7.5 billion humans encroachment to any other living animals habitat says only devastation and extinction, nothing else.
I was watching these slow ( according to human life) motion disaster since 1970's , it is just getting worse period.
7
Excellent article. I just want to say that I find the argument that we have to allow trophy hunters to kill elephants and other rare animals because those hunters will pay a lot of money for the thrill of killing them and thus, in turn, help to pay for conservation efforts to be completely unpersuasive. Yes, money is needed to promote conservation, but this funding can happen through tourism, photo safaris, and charitable donations to wildlife preservation organizations, such the World Wildlife Fund or the International Elephant Foundation. The fact that there are a few wealthy people in the world who feel the need to butcher these magnificent animals for whatever twisted reason is sad, but it is dangerous and short-sighted to indulge those people and their blood lust. If they actually do care about these animals and their environments, let them donate their money to these or other charities and experience these wondrous creatures as the rest of us do: with just their eyes and cameras, not their guns.
31
WIshes don't make things real. The reality in Africa today is that hunting protects species. In the USA the same system has worked for generations.
2
So what do people do w/ the carcasses? Did Don Jr. just pin the tail up in his office--great conversation opener! Do people really still mount heads to adorn the walls of their estates? Really, what a despicable behavior.
Guys, if you want to put something on your walls, go buy some art. It will help part of the economy and art actually appreciates if you choose wisely; the tail will only begin to smell bad. Tacky!
2
Then why, may I ask, are species in decline in the U.S.? If hunting has been such a boon to them, why have some gone extinct, and many are on the Endangered Species list? And if a species is on the list, why is hunting still allowed, even if limited? What is it about humans that wants to kill other species? It isn't just food, as often people don't eat what they kill. It is about the killing.
2
My simple question to Bill Gates or Zuckerberg is why don't you just donate 500 million or so to equip a serious army (and buy fencing etc.) to police and protect major Parks and areas that these animals live in? Same for rhinos. I've seen stories of tough, trained, U.S, mercenaries (ex- military etc.) doing just that - protecting Rhinos. If the money is there...
We hear stories of park rangers in Africa on meager salaries, understaffed etc. I'm sure they are operating on a fraction of what these and or other philanthropists could give directly. I could see reward money being given for info on poachers that is greater than the sum of profit from ivory as a way to deter and catch them.
Direct action. Not some "wildlife fund". Put up the money directly for this greatest of causes.
36
Are you really suggesting a private army funded by large US corporations is the way to go?
1
Have you never heard of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation? Now you are wanting them to fund a private army too? I think it is up to the citizens of the world to continue to bear pressure on the politicians who make the laws to ensure that the world's wildlife is protected. If they are too stupid to do that, they need to be removed from office and be replaced, the sooner the better.
Your solution is to raise and equip a private elephant-protection army with Western dollars in places like the Central African Republic and Sudan.
I can't see anything possibly going wrong with that.
I've been haunted by the same photo, ever since it surfaced on the internet a little over a year ago. Sadly this is only of one the many awful pictures of elephants being abused by humans. Thank you for writing such a thoughtful piece, and I hope this helps more people understand the difficult conflicts these animals are facing.
17
The elephants’ decline makes me think of the Rapture, where God takes all the things worth saving in advance so they won’t have to suffer the demise due the rest of us. In those terms now I don’t feel sorry for them. And who says God has no heart? The reason we can’t save them is because they’re not for us.
Thank you, Maggie, for this wonderful article. I hope that our president, as he reviews lord knows what, will read your thoughts and digest them. Alas, I'm afraid he only reads comic books and TV ratings.
If this insanity doesn't stop, future generations will be robbed of the opportunity to watch and admire these wonderful animals. How sad that would be.
5
The lifting of the ban is inhumane and an outrage. Elephants around the world are in danger and should continue to be protected. To lift existing protections on these beautiful animals makes no sense and is cruel. I am left speechless by this spectacle of indecency.
5
I just can't accept that humans have become so removed from compassion so as to cause the downfall of this great giant. To not speak up for these animals is nothing less than an atrocity. I happen to believe justice will reign in time. This is the only thing that allows me to choke back intense emotion. Nevertheless, nothing good will come of animals disappearing. It is up to parents to instill in their young ones a huge and enduring respect and love for living things. Children are the key.
2
Not just the elephants - we need to rethink our entire existence, starting with toxic capitalism, nuclear weapons, and war. We are cutting the planet out from under us. People forget that they are the culmination of 13.8 billion years of very slow and very painful development.
They don't realize how rare and precious it is to be born.
6
I keep hearing “thin the herd” arguments. There isn’t enough herd to thin.
Those claims logically lead to questions of thinning the herd of humanity. And that just makes me horribly depressed.
6
Wildlife world wide is facing unprecedented pressure. The world is suffering and will continue to suffer from a disease I call TMP-too many people.
9
By floating this reversal to importing animal parts as "trophies," Trump and his administration have once again proved that they only think of one thing -- Trump and his family.
With all the money in the world, and more coming in if they get their tax cuts through, I guess there's nothing else left for the two Trump boys other than satisfying their need to prove their manliness and to demonstrate their sense of power and control by gunning down elephants and other animals. All for a photo op and a short lived thrill.
As their father would say, "sad." To which I would add, very sad, indeed.
14
I agree with a previous poster - Trump is doing this to break our hearts.
6
"Lately I’ve been haunted by a photo".
I saw the photo, I am also equally tormented and disturbed by looking at that photo. This is very sad because this is happening in India where people worship elephants as god and many temples have elephants. Indian government should stop this cruelty to animals. I was equally disturbed by looking at the photo of Donald Trump 's son posed in Zimbabwe in 2011, ammunition slung around his waist, holding up the tail he had cut off a dead elephant lying behind him. These are horrible pictures. I am glad that president Trump reversed his position late Friday and now it is on hold for further review. I hope more and more decent people would speak up for these animals.
138
is there a good place to write that will have effect-long term protests of killing elephants orangutans and other mammals too?
I doubt cruel crowd shown in the photo included any devout Hindus..
1