Mission Israel

[Guest guest]

Warning: elephant numbers dwindling

 

 

Some status update on the plans of using modern technology to combat

poaching. LIke mentioned earlier...we need to be one step ahead of the

poachers if we intend to defeat them.

 

Thanks, Pablo.

 

 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

 

Bangalore: As wild habitats shrink, the going has become very tough for

these gentle giants. A shocking 260 elephants have fallen victim to electric

fencing, poaching and natural causes in the past 4 years.

Electrocution has become the single largest unnatural cause for

elephants' death in Karnataka, revealing the dark side of the man-elephant

conflict in Chamarajanagar and Mysore. In 2007, 87 elephants were killed, of

which 17 were electrocuted and nine poached.

" It's a concern that elephant mortality rate has gone up in the recent

past. There is a need to sensitize people on the issue. District police

officers will be made aware about the seriousness of dwindling wildlife,''

said forest cell IGP, K S N Chikkerur.

He asserted that forests in South India were at high risk. With a healthy

big cat population in certain forests, vigilance and protection will be a

mantra to safeguard wildlife. The forest cell is gearing up for the new

challenge and as a first step has placed orders for hi-tech surveillance

equipment from Israel.

" Modernizing the forest cell is an ongoing process. It will import

thermal image cameras from Israel, costing Rs 25 lakh each. Two cameras will

be inducted into the special patrolling squad of the cell,'' added

Chikkerur.

Biologists and conservationists observe that developmental activities

might do more harm to the elephant population. " Karnataka's forests are part

of world's largest Asiatic elephant habitat. It's very essential to halt the

fragmentation caused by developmental activities,'' pointed out Sanjay

Gubbi, programme manager, (conservation and out reach) Wildlife Conservation

Society.

 

 

 

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