On elephant deaths<\/p>\n
We would like to clarify statements made in The Jakarta Post
\non April 11 concerning elephant deaths in Bukit Barisan Selatan
\nNational Park. It was stated, \"Three hundred elephants have been
\nkilled since 1993 in the South Bukit Barisan National Park in
\nLampung (Sumatra), and three tons of their tusks have been sold.\"
\nAlso it made mention of \"uncontrolled poaching in the province.\"<\/p>\n
The Wildlife Conservation Society, headquartered in the Bronx
\nZoo, New York, has been conducting research on elephants in
\nLampung province since 1999. We documented the deaths of 22
\nelephants between Jan. 1, 2000, and Nov. 1, 2002, in the Bukit
\nBarisan Selatan National Park (BBSNP), the majority of which were
\nthought to have been killed by poachers.<\/p>\n
Although we believe this figure represents a minimum, there is
\nno scientific basis for the estimate of 300 elephant deaths in
\nthe park since 1993. Similarly, there is no credible basis for
\nthe statement that hundreds of tigers and rhinos have been
\nkilled. The important issue, however, is that illegal killing of
\nelephants and other wildlife does occur in Sumatra's parks and
\nprotected areas -- the last stronghold for these magnificent
\nanimals. Lack of adequate law enforcement in these areas means
\nIndonesia's natural heritage will continue to suffer at the hands
\nof poachers.<\/p>\n
Despite the illegal killing of elephants in BBSNP and
\nelsewhere in Lampung province, surveys by the Wildlife
\nConservation Society have shown that BBSNP and Way Kambas
\nNational Park support some of the largest populations of Asian
\nelephants outside India, with about 500 in BBSNP and about 180 in
\nWay Kambas. These numbers clearly show that Lampung province
\ncontains two Asian elephant populations that are of regional, and
\nfor BBSNP at least, international importance.<\/p>\n
While the plight of the African elephant is well known, many
\npeople are unaware that the Asian elephant is in greater peril:
\nAn estimated 35,000 to 50,000 Asian elephants remain, compared
\nwith about 500,000 African elephants.<\/p>\n
The Wildlife Conservation Society is working with governments
\nacross the range of the Asian elephant to ensure a future for
\nthese charismatic animals. A key part of this effort is our work
\nwith the Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE)
\nProgram of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
\nSpecies of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In Sumatra, the Wildlife
\nConservation Society is working closely with the Ministry of
\nForestry to conserve elephant populations in Lampung province,
\nand to reduce human-elephant conflict.<\/p>\n
HARIYO T. WIBISONO, Deputy Director, Wildlife Conservation Society,<\/p>\n
Indonesia Program, Bogor, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/on-elephant-deaths-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }