Saul
AH elite
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I wonder why the article did not link to the actual letter.
Why the agreement in the first place? Because Kenya does not recognize good game management and is anti hunting?! If they wanted more big tuskers maybe they shouldn't implemented a total hunting ban back in the 70's if I remember correctly. Outside the parks the elephant are almost gone (read poached and sold by complicit government officials)
Good riddance that the agreement is gone. If the elephants are old and spread their genes already hunt them. Let the community benefit of the financial rewards and motivate them to actively protect the next generation of big tuskers until they are old enough to be hunted.
And last the agreement expired ergo no agreement.
@Hoas - You’ve got to do better then that…at least give the appearance of objectivity. It’s difficult to believe that “scientists” support Kenya’s failed wildlife management system and also words like “Magnificent” are rarely found in scientific publications. After banning hunting for 50+ years - Kenya’s wildlife populations have continued to Decline…..despite having substantial annual revenue from a robust Tourist trade. Following Kenya’s wildlife management plan would be like following Somolia’s economic & crime prevention planScientists call for halt to elephant hunting along Kenya-Tanzania border
According to scientists, five male adult elephants with tusks weighing more than 45 kg were shot by trophy hunters in Tanzania in late 2023 and early 202.www.theeastafrican.co.ke
A group of international scientists said Thursday that the hunting of elephants along the Kenya-Tanzania border for their tusks should be stopped to save the giant land mammals from extinction.
In a letter published by Science, an international journal, 24 biologists, zoologists, and conservationists warned against trophy hunting of elephants along the Amboseli ecosystem that spans the Kenya-Tanzania border amid threat to tourism and the livelihoods of local communities.
According to scientists, five male adult elephants with tusks weighing more than 45 kg were shot by trophy hunters in Tanzania in late 2023 and early 2024, posing a new threat to the survival of the iconic giant herbivore.
A group of international scientists said Thursday that the hunting of elephants along the Kenya-Tanzania border for their tusks should be stopped to save the giant land mammals from extinction.
In a letter published by Science, an international journal, 24 biologists, zoologists, and conservationists warned against trophy hunting of elephants along the Amboseli ecosystem that spans the Kenya-Tanzania border amid threat to tourism and the livelihoods of local communities.
According to scientists, five male adult elephants with tusks weighing more than 45 kg were shot by trophy hunters in Tanzania in late 2023 and early 2024, posing a new threat to the survival of the iconic giant herbivore.
These elephants, according to wildlife biologists, were among the most magnificent species of the cross-border population studied for 51 years by the Amboseli Elephant Research Project (AERP) in Kenya.
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Sorry for my wording , had to be more precise. I mean old enough to have spread their genes. I said that somewhat different but that is what I mean. Elephants bulls are almost never to old beyond breeding age because they can breed even in their sixties.The problem Is they are not old beyond breeding age and fair game.
@DieJager - I thought (was told by two PH’s in TZ) that elephant rarely live beyond late 40s——50 tops because their teeth wear down and they can’t ingest enough calories, weaken, and die?? I would think Bulls also don’t live as long as cows. But, I don’t really know and wonder if any Biologists or experts could chime inSorry for my wording , had to be more precise. I mean old enough to have spread their genes. I said that somewhat different but that is what I mean. Elephants bulls are almost never to old beyond breeding age because they can breed even in their sixties.
So when would be the correct age to hunt them? Honest question.
I can also see that some guidelines are needed like age. What would for you be appropriate to hunt a big tusker or are you categorically against hunting them.
@DieJager - a Bull Elephant has the same genetics it was born with - regardless of its age - and therefore they are spreading those genes even years before their Tusks have reached max size. My assumption, which might be wrong, a Bull can be spreading great superior genetics many years even with broken tusks or tusks that have not reached Full Size. Also, will an old bull - regardless of giant tusks - get the opportunity to breed? I don’t see my Grandfather picking up hot chicks in the bar….the Younger guys are pushing him out of the way.Sorry for my wording , had to be more precise. I mean old enough to have spread their genes. I said that somewhat different but that is what I mean. Elephants bulls are almost never to old beyond breeding age because they can breed even in their sixties.
So when would be the correct age to hunt them? Honest question.
I can also see that some guidelines are needed like age. What would for you be appropriate to hunt a big tusker or are you categorically against hunting them.
Genetically predisposed to have some of the largest tusks on the African continent, the Amboseli elephants have historically been protected from both legal and illegal hunting, said Joyce Poole, director of ElephantVoices, an international elephant protection lobby, and a lead author of the letter.
@Tanks - great catch on the Author/Director of “ElephantVoices”…next we can model whitetail deer seasons after BambiA bit of info about the author of the letter, methinks she is not that objective.
The problem Is they are not old beyond breeding age and fair game. They are prime breeding age and their genetics give them super tusker status at a young age. I believe that one killed was 35-40 years old and with Ivory in excess of 100 pounds each. That’s exactly the type of elephant you want breeding passing on its genes.
I suspect the written agreement will return.
@dchum: also, 50% of the “Super Tusker” Genetics are COWS - the handful of 60lb.+ bulls killed each year really have No measurable impact on overall herd genetics. But, If this argument gains traction - it can be applied to all horned, antlered, or ANY huntable animal. It will Not be an effective policy to protect any overall species but it will be very effectively used and labeled against “Trophy” hunting - giving it a foothold to argue against All hunting.I’m going to be blunt
You are on the wrong side of this.
Either you have fallen into the articles or you have your own opinion you formed that has no basis.
We have a operator Michel Mantheakis being ripped for killing a “super tusker” in 2024
His grandfathers killed many super tuskers (1890-1940) his father has hunted and killed many super tuskers (1950-1980?). Now a Mantheakis is here still hunting and killing big super tuskers. Because the GENETICS are still passed and the populations are still great. By your ideas they should all be gone because his grandpa and dad (same areas) killed all the good genetics off….but no they aren’t.
I mean no disrespect. But think about it
@HankBuck the teeth wear down faster in areas where more courses sand gravel is mixed with the food that they ingest. So in say a delta where the plants can be washed before eating the teeth will wear slower.@DieJager - a Bull Elephant has the same genetics it was born with - regardless of its age - and therefore they are spreading those genes even years before their Tusks have reached max size. My assumption, which might be wrong, a Bull can be spreading great superior genetics many years even with broken tusks or tusks that have not reached Full Size. Also, will an old bull - regardless of giant tusks - get the opportunity to breed? I don’t see my Grandfather picking up hot chicks in the bar….the Younger guys are pushing him out of the way.