Photos from Tanzania's first National Elephant Day a.k.a. Siku Ya Tembo Kitaifa, 2013 

Every 15 minutes an African elephant is slaughtered. 

Poaching of the African Forest Elephant is a serious problem in Southern Tanzania as well as other districts where elephants are not under strict surveillance (i.e. national parks). The population of this mammal (arguably the biggest of the "Big 5" in both size and significance) has decreased by two thirds since the 1950s. At this rate, our grandchildren may read about elephants (along with the endangered rhinoceros which is also hunted for its horn) the way we learned about dinosaurs and the woolly mammoths at the museum. 

The main cause of elephant slaughter is the increasing demand for ivory goods (i.e. carvings and other luxury goods) in the emerging middle class markets of China and Thailand. Most practical items that were once carved from ivory have now been replaced by plastics and other synthetic materials (such as piano keys and billiard balls). Other reasons for elephant slaughter in some villages include for food, and protection of one's crops. However on September 22nd, the Government of Tanzania, Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, University of Dar es Salaam and other partners convened the first ever "National Elephant Day" to raise awareness and discuss the serious impact that elephant poaching is having on Tanzania's biodiversity, ecological health, tourism industry and last but not least, the survival of the beloved species itself!

Enjoy some photos of this special ceremony that I was so privileged to take part in and relish in the significance of the "Great" African Elephant! We couldn't prevent the extinction of the animals that lived before man, but we have the power to preserve and live in harmony with the beauty and biodiversity of habitat to which our earth is now endowed. Perhaps the health and survival of our own race depends on it..