Honouring the silent kings
On World Elephant Day today, the much-travelled CEO of a touring company issues a plea: That we preserve these great grey creatures so that our grandchildren won’t be reduced to encountering them only in picture books.
WHILE the lion may be deemed “king of the jungle”, without question, it is the elephant that boldly, silently and majestically commands the crown of king of all beasts.
I have always admired elephants. I recall with vivid clarity, back in 1995, being woken abruptly by a large bull elephant who was alarmingly close to my tent at Chikwenya Safari Lodge, Zimbabwe. There was nothing but a sheet of canvas between us. A deep, raw, sensation engulfed me: Be silent, be respectful, enjoy every single second as, after all, you’re not going anywhere until he has finished eating and decides to move on.
Being that close to an elephant, you cannot help but be overawed by their dramatic presence: their might yet delicacy, their natural splendour plus spirituality. For me, there is no other animal in the world that compares. They are distinctively unique. To observe their intelligence, compassion and intuitive care for one another, to hear their gentle rumble in the distance, to feel the sheer force yet grace of their being, stays with you forever.
This fascination with elephants remains. I carry an inner desire to one day spend significant time to understand more about them and the extraordinary extent of their emotions. As individual creatures, and as a collective boldness of herd, they inspire a profound appreciation.
To this day, whenever I am on safari, whether on the banks of Zimbabwe’s great Zambezi River, the breathtaking beauty Okavango Delta of Botswana, or at random watering holes in South Africa’s iconic Kruger Park, I always set aside time to observe and absorb the behaviour of these imposing animals.
Today is #World Elephant Day. It is a day that stops my heart with sadness. Why? Because it symbolises the risk these great creatures face. This day was designated for one simple reason: This remarkable species is disappearing at arateofone every 15 minutes, according to the globally-respected
Wild Heart
Wildlife
Foundation (wildheartwildlifefoundation.org).
Worryingly, this day is now critical because of significant government changes:
March 2018 – The Trump Administration in the United States quietly reverses regulations put in place by former President Barack Obama that banned Americans from importing body parts of African elephants killed for sport in Zimbabwe and Zambia. This change of policy was imposed despite the fact that, in the last quarter of 2017, President Donald Trump himself branded big game trophy hunting as a “horror show”.
June 2018 – The wildlife- and diamond-rich African nation of Botswana, home to more than a third of the elephants left in Africa, had, unlike many of its Southern African neighbours, banned trophy hunting since 2014 – but now indicates that the legalisation of a commercial ivory trade is likely. Horrifically, its Parliament adopted a motion asking the government to consider lifting the ban on hunting and shooting elephants in areas that are not designated as game reserves and national parks.
History is being rewritten, in a way that is not inscribing a future in which we can feel proud.
In addition, the US Endangered Species Act, which for 45 years has safeguarded fragile wildlife while blocking ranching, logging and oil drilling in protected habitats, is also coming under attack from lawmakers.
To say I find all of this incomprehensible is a gross understatement. How can we call our world civilised when we are initiating a direct threat against some of Mother Nature’s greatest gifts?
Elephants are only endangered because of humans, they face no other threat. Humans have been hunting these stately yet defenceless creatures for ivory for centuries, not to mention destroying their natural habitat.
It’s estimated there are a mere 415,000 elephants left in the wilds of Africa – a shameful decline from the 3.5 million+ that freely, confidently and innocently walked the continent’s great lands at the beginning of the 20th century. If this abhorrent behaviour continues there will be no wild elephants within our lifetime. Unthinkable.
To quote the great British naturalist Sir David Attenborough: “... there are three times as many human beings in the world as when I was starting [his career] in 1952.
“The effect that human beings are having on the natural world is profound. We are having a great damaging effect. Because we are out of touch with the natural world in a way that we weren’t 200 years ago, that means most of us don’t see the effect we are having. What is more, we don’t understand the processes of the natural world which makes this [natural history education] of crucial importance to the future of humanity.” (The Guardian, Aug 24, 2017.)
The message is clear. If it’s left as is for elephants to battle the ongoing threats from humans, there’s no question about it – they will lose. We need to unite as humanitarians, be proactive global citizens and ensure that we do our utmost to preserve and protect these incredible creatures in the wild, for future generations. The time to make a difference is now. Their fate is in our hands.
In this year in which my family and I paid homage to our beloved homeland, South Africa, with the introduction of Trafalgar’s inaugural Africa programme, a year which also coincides with the centenary of the late, great Nelson Mandela – our beloved Madiba – I share a quote from him that reflects this sentiment succinctly: “We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.”
All is not yet lost, but it soon could be. I urge everyone to play his or her part, and I offer some simple steps to tread in the right direction:
> Visit elephants in countries where they live in the wild – tourism benefits the economy, provides needed jobs, deters poachers and abuse, and gives you the opportunity to appreciate the beauty, intelligence and emotional capacity of these magnificent giants.
> Do not, under any circumstances, or levels of persuasion, buy ivory or other wildlife products. Be an elephant-aware consumer. Always.
> Only promote or travel with safe, ethical elephant tourism organisations. Do not support those that exploit or abuse elephants and other animals for entertainment and profit.
> Actively support healthy, alternative, sustainable livelihoods for people who have traditionally relied on elephants, wild animals and natural resources. Learn about indigenous cultures that have traditionally lived in harmony with elephants. And support organisations that are working to protect the habitat for wild elephants and find solutions for human-elephant conflict.
Through my many world travel experiences I have been fortunate to experience so much greatness around the globe. However, I remain inspired by the desire to assimilate further with elephants. Their extraordinary presence, their quiet, humble, yet magnificent presence has captivated me for most of my life. And for us humans to ensure their continued presence on this planet will, without doubt, change our world for the better.
These magnificent mammals must be protected and allowed to freely wander their natural, wild habitats in an uninhibited way.
As a snapshot of an insight into these most curious creatures, I share with you some photos taken by a dear family friend who is also a legendary wildlife guide in Africa and an outstanding photographer. Much of what I know about the bush I owe to the very talented Mike Myers.
The future wellbeing and wonder of the world’s elephant population is in our hands. Let us ensure we are the generation that halted the decline of the herbivorous heroes and made a difference to these great grey animals. In the words of the Sir David, speaking on their plight: “Are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book?”
I for one am most certainly not. I urge you to join the charge. Gavin Tollman is the CEO of Trafalgar, the world leader in guided holidays.