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