Tunde Folawiyo | Elephant Falls Victim to Poaching in South Africa’s Kruger National Park

June 16, 2014 admin african elephant conservation, Tunde Folawiyo, tunde folawiyo africa, tunde folawiyo bio, tunde folawiyo executive, tunde folawiyo profile, Uncategorized

Whilst the continent of Africa houses some of the most magnificent landscapes on earth, many once-thriving populations of wildlife have dwindled, fallen victim to a variety of human-made demises. From habitat destruction to illegal poaching, wildlife throughout Africa, including the elephant, are in need of immediate help. Through the assistance of the African Wildlife Foundation, the citizens of Africa including Tunde Folawiyo and others throughout the world, the continent’s suffering wildlife populations may one day thrive again.

Whilst South Africa’s own Kruger National Park is best known for its struggle to protect its rhino population from poaching rhino poaching, rangers in the park recently discovered a murdered bull elephant who was shot and had its tusks cut off, most likely by poachers. The same day of the discovery, authorities in the far-away city of Hong Kong initiated the burning of 6 tonnes of ivory to signify a commitment to raising awareness about the growing dangers of elephant poaching throughout Africa. The illegal ivory trade is credited to fueling poaching throughout the continent, claiming upwards of 35,000 elephants yearly. Whilst South Africa’s elephant herds were once relatively safe from poaching, this startling discovery proves that once again, another species is at risk. So long as a demand for ivory on the black market exists, no African country is immune to the horrors of poaching. Last year, over 100 elephants perished in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe after a local waterhole was found to be laced with cynanide.

The efforts of Asian countries to raise awareness about illegal poaching have not gone unnoticed. The AWF has praised several Asian countries for their continued progress. Hong Kong’s Special Administrative Region has voiced an intention to destroy upwards of 29 tonnes of ivory over a two-year period. AWF encourages all countries to follow suit. Additionally, AWF has called on the countries to place nation-wide bans on the ivory trade.

South Africa has long battled the devastating effects of poaching. During 2013, 1,004 rhinos fell victim to the practice with over half having inhabited Kruger National Park. As of May 2014, the number of poached rhinos stands at 376 with 245 killed in Kruger. The need for intervention has never been greater. Through the continued support of wildlife advocates such as Tunde Folawiyo and millions of citizens throughout Africa, the AWF may continue its mission in fighting for the continent’s endangered wildlife.

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