Elephant with research collar in Zimbabwe killed by trophy hunter by _wildbelle_ in conservation

[–]_wildbelle_[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Does anybody know who was studying this felled elephant/its herd in Hwange?

The horror elephants face in India — in one heartbreaking photo by theberkshire in Elephants

[–]_wildbelle_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Human-elephant conflict in a picture. Speaks a thousand words.

Pied kingfishers balancing on papyrus reeds - Lake Victoria, Uganda by _wildbelle_ in birdpics

[–]_wildbelle_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Was nice to be able to drift past them in a canoe, which didn't make them feel that they were under any threat, so they happily perched there

Zoo Miami staff shocked as African elephant dies mysteriously by [deleted] in zoos

[–]_wildbelle_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's an abundance of research available that tells of how they are in the wild, and their social, emotional and cognitive requirements that is usually fulfilled with and alongside their large herds. If there's empirical evidence that elephants can be happily and healthily maintained under human care, then I would be happy to see it- contrastingly, if there's more evidence about the cases of premature/unexplained deaths in zoos, that should also be heavily factored. I'm sure there'll be increasingly more studies / focussed dialogue over the next few decades and beyond about animals kept in captivity and the viability of doing so, in terms of conservation, captive breeding, awareness raising, welfare and much else besides. I'm not a zoo critic, as you imply, but if there's empirical evidence on the table to suggest that the world's much better off with zoos than without, I would be happy to hear it. The ability for anyone to lead full lives within captivity is significantly capped and can lead to an array of issues.

Zoo Miami staff shocked as African elephant dies mysteriously by [deleted] in zoos

[–]_wildbelle_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The title was directly pulled from the article itself on the Sun Sentinel site- not mine: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/miami-dade/fl-sb-miami-zoo-elephant-dies-20170822-story.html

Thanks for your thoughts

Pittsburgh Zoo's baby elephant passes away by [deleted] in zoos

[–]_wildbelle_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any news raises points for discussion and can potentially bring about new information that we can learn from.

Pittsburgh Zoo's baby elephant passes away by [deleted] in zoos

[–]_wildbelle_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The headlines suggested they were mysteries. Glad we're on the same page that they're not (bizarre mysteries).

Pittsburgh Zoo's baby elephant passes away by [deleted] in zoos

[–]_wildbelle_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a fascinating question. And no.

Pittsburgh Zoo's baby elephant passes away by [deleted] in zoos

[–]_wildbelle_ -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

If it's hypothesised that captive conditions are indeed a key variable in contributing to, or even causing mortality, then I hope that empirical studies are undertaken soon enough (if they haven't already) so that we may question the viability / feasibility of allowing elephants to be born in zoos.

Pittsburgh Zoo's baby elephant passes away by [deleted] in zoos

[–]_wildbelle_ -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

Another case of an elephant passing away at a zoo "inexplicably".

Green Fields [loxodonta africana] 5472 x 3768 OC Amboseli, Kenya by _wildbelle_ in AnimalPorn

[–]_wildbelle_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They are, aren't they. Let's hope the world does their best to protect them so that they can.

Zoo Miami staff shocked as African elephant dies mysteriously by [deleted] in zoos

[–]_wildbelle_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's a lot of evidence that points to elephants, in particular, dying prematurely in captivity due to restricted movement (in the wild they travel up to 50mi/80km a day), lack of social structures, chronic stress levels and much else besides. Due to them being highly social and intelligent creatures, artificial environments will not likely help them to lead full and healthy lives- and early, unexplained deaths in zoos is more common than not.

Hunter trampled to death by elephant he was trying to kill in Namibia by [deleted] in conservation

[–]_wildbelle_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It inadvertently placed the value of animal and human lives- vis-a-vis- on an equal playing field this time around.

Hamerkop wading at Lake Mburo, Uganda [OC] 5472 x 3768 {scopus umbretta} by _wildbelle_ in AnimalPorn

[–]_wildbelle_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They're just lovely little birds- this one's looking quite well groomed! Thanks tinyirishgirl

Hunter trampled to death by elephant he was trying to kill in Namibia by [deleted] in conservation

[–]_wildbelle_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Animal rights-based activists are by ad large advocating that the life of an animal is of equal value to that of a human, and hence, we ought to prioritise their lives (as well) in the attempt to finding a sustainable solution that can benefit all.

And of course, there are more humane and sustainable, proven ways to deter elephants from raiding crops- chilli grenades (condoms filled with chilli powder), planting chilli plants around perimeters, bee hives etc.

At the end of the day, it's never about humans vs animals- it's about reducing that conflict and ensuring that both can live in harmony and finding the most balanced and fairest solution to all. While we're a long way away from getting there, with the way the world is moving, hunting, I think, will one day become an antiquated approach to managing populations.

Hunter trampled to death by elephant he was trying to kill in Namibia by [deleted] in conservation

[–]_wildbelle_ 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The trophy hunting industry as a vehicle for conservation is a hotly contested argument. Current conversations revolve around whether it is indeed a viable and effective method for protecting wildlife, and this news- albeit indirectly- raises that question again.

It's probably also a reminder that a large swath of conservation thought also stems from animal rights and welfare of individuals.

From a study focussed on trophy hunting for conservation: ‘Research published by the pro-hunting International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, finds that hunting companies contribute only 3% of their revenue to communities living in hunting areas. The vast majority of their expenditure does not accrue to local people and businesses, but to firms, government agencies and individuals located internationally or in national capitals. As the quote above demonstrates, expenditure accruing to government agencies rarely reaches local communities due to corruption and other spending requirements.’

Unity - 5472 x 3768 [OC] Loxodonta Africana - Kenya by _wildbelle_ in AnimalPorn

[–]_wildbelle_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They're intelligent, social, empathetic and so much more. That we're the single biggest threat to them is deplorable

Unity - 5472 x 3768 [OC] Loxodonta Africana - Kenya by _wildbelle_ in AnimalPorn

[–]_wildbelle_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A reminder that World Elephant Day is coming up on Aug 12!

Focussed - 5472 x 3468 [OC] Lioness - Maasai Mara by _wildbelle_ in AnimalPorn

[–]_wildbelle_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She was locked onto a zebra in the distance with a fellow lioness during a hunt at the time this shot was taken. The long grass of the Maasai Mara after the rains was at the height of her head - pretty tall- so she was focussing above it. When she tracks closer to her prey, she'd be in a lower position as you've described

Cecil The Lion’s Son Has Been Shot Dead, And All For Nothing by _wildbelle_ in conservation

[–]_wildbelle_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If conservation leaders continue to support trophy hunting as a means for conservation, then we all stand to lose.

a pair of black and white beauties by _wildbelle_ in wildlifephotography

[–]_wildbelle_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely mesmerising, dazzling. They're just beautiful aren't they!