Amboseli Big Elephant Tuskers Numbers Reduce Due to Trophy Hunting in Tanzania
In recent days, there have been reports by different conservation entities around the world of how 3 elephant tuskers from Amboseli were ”legally” hunted in the Enduimet Area in Northern Tanzania bordering Amboseli in Kenya. These hunting have brought out a lot of discussion and as Discover Africa Wildlife, we remain ambassadors of wildlife protection and conservation.
Amboseli – Tsavo – Enduimet Ecosystem is one big area known to be home to more than 2000+ elephants that roam freely within this area. This region has been home to some iconic elephant tuskers and still many such as the iconic Tim, currently Craig, Esau, Tee-Jay, One Ton, Micheal, and other young ones coming up like Tim’s cousin.
Tanzania gives out permits to hunters who can come and visit hunting areas in Tanzania to hunt certain wildlife species including elephants for trophy hunting. According to Big Life Foundation’s recent news, 2 elephant tuskers were hunted in the Enduimet Area in Tanzania. A third elephant has been killed by trophy hunters in northern Tanzania, in a part of the Greater Amboseli Ecosystem.
On 11 March, the Big Life Foundation released a statement confirming that a third elephant had been hunted. The statement noted that the elephant’s carcass was also burnt (as with the first two hunts), making identifying the specific elephant impossible. The tusk size of the third hunted elephant is unknown. From BigLife Statement, there are about 10 Super Tuskers left in the Amboseli Ecosystem, and likely as few as 50 across Africa, and these males are especially important.
The previous 2 hunts took place late last year and both elephants killed were reported to be Super Tuskers (with one or both tusks weighing 100lbs or more). All carcasses were burned, making identification impossible, but the three are almost certainly from the cross-border Amboseli population.
“We’ve spent the last 48 hours writing letters to relevant authorities, speaking with the press, and engaging in urgent discussions with several of our partners. The political landscape surrounding trophy hunting in the cross-border region is sensitive. We’ve seen all your comments and we understand your desire for accountability.” Elephant Voices mentioned.
They continue to mention that the involved hunters posted on their social media accounts on how they have hunted other wildlife species. Since Africa Geographic tried to get more information on the entire incidents of the Enduimet Area, the hunting industry has informed its parties to not post photos of their elephant hunts as they mention in their letter to members of the association ”Do not post photos on social media, of the obvious species that will inflame public opinion”.
Measure to reduce the Trophy Hunting of these Tuskers
Esau is the nephew of Echo, one of Amboseli’s most famous matriarchs. We know his life story thanks to the amazing work done by the Amboseli Trust for Elephants. Their data shows that at least 20% of Amboseli’s elephants cross the border into Tanzania, including Esau. Until now, he has had little to fear thanks to cross-border anti-poaching operations, but a new threat lurks across the invisible border.
After more than two decades, trophy hunters have started hunting elephants in this area of northern Tanzania again. Three have been killed since last September, at least two of them reported to be Super Tuskers. Esau would be a prime target.
Hearing this, Mara Elephant Project provided a tracking collar through their partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service and Wildlife Research & Training Institute Kenya. During the planning phase, Esau received an injury to his trunk, likely during a fight with another bull, and the opportunity to treat it added further impetus to the exercise.
The timing was everything. Rangers followed his movements on both sides of the border, and when he crossed into Kenya, the teams were ready. Save the Elephants sent specialists to assist with the collar fitting and the operation was an extraordinary display of cooperation and transboundary commitment to protecting these bulls. Nine entities were involved, including Big Life-supported rangers from the Enduimet Wildlife Management Area in Tanzania.
Esau’s collar will provide invaluable data on the movements of a male approaching his breeding prime, but more importantly, it could save his life, as research animals are ‘off-limits’ for hunters.
Special thanks to Kenya Wildlife Service, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Olgulului Community Rangers, and Ifaw in addition to those already mentioned.
We hope the call to end the hunting of these big tuskers will come to an end. to be part of this call, please join other petitioners in signing to end this. To sign, please visit the Change Website.
Thanks to Africa Geographic, Elephant Voices, Big Life Foundation, Amboseli Trust for Elephants, and Kenya Wildlife Service.
