Killing of elephants continues

Killing of elephants continues

BANDAR LAMPUNG: An investigation into the illegal animal trade has estimated that hundreds of elephants, Sumatran tigers and rhinos have been killed in the last ten years.

Tamen Sitorus, head of the South Bukit Barisan National Park, said Thursday that most elephant were slaughtered by hunters just to get their ivory tusks.

He added that traditional beliefs suggesting that parts of those animals had healing powers also contributed to the poaching.

Due to the rampant hunting, Sitorus said, the population of tigers, rhinos and elephants in the national park had decreased drastically. --Antara