Cameroon officials report major spike in elephant poaching incidents
February 23, 2012
Poachers have long been a threat to wildlife in Africa, with more and more rhinos and elephants being slaughtered for their horns and tusks each year. Recently, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Cameroon officials revealed that the number of elephants being killed has reached new highs. Since mid January, nearly 300 of these animals have lost their lives to poachers seeking ivory, the Global Post reports.
"It was common for armed gangs of poachers to cross from Sudan during the dry season to kill elephants for their ivory, but this latest massacre is massive and has no comparison to those of the preceding years," said IFAW spokesperson Celine Sissler Bienvenu, according to CNN International.
Not only do poachers threaten the populations of elephants and other animals in Africa, but the deaths of adult elephants have orphaned many calves. Officials say there are an estimated 1,000 to 5,000 elephants within Cameroonian borders. If poachers continue to hunt these beasts for their ivory, it could pose a serious threat to the species.
Animal lovers and conversationalists can make calls to Cameroon with international phone cards to find out the latest developments in the situation.