Why We Are Still Working for the Wild

The first time you see a giraffe is like the first time you meet “the one”. You want to name it, pet it and feed it, if only the wildlife reserve administration would allow it. They are so graceful that you feel so calm and captured in the moment. This feeling is the same feeling or even greater when you see an elephant, crocodile or deer. It is absolutely fascinating. Why else would people travel across continents to see wild animals if it wasn’t worth it?

The first time you see a dead animal is a completely different feeling, especially if it was one that you loved.  Satao, the elephant, was one of the largest tuskers in the world. As it was seen, when he fell to poachers, it was a monumental loss. Africa feels this loss everyday as it seems to be losing the war against poaching. Around 20,000 elephants are being killed annually in Africa. Countries such as Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are fighting back against poaching but overall statistics still show that the number of wild animals being killed is increasing annually.

Kenya has taken measures to fight poaching such as increasing fines for poachers. The previous legal consequences were fines of $480 and 2 years in jail. Currently, the fines are up to $120000 and 2 years in jail. After all this, poaching is still an issue because if we cannot find poachers, we cannot stop them.

The country is in a battle that is getting harder. Giving up is no option but hope tends to be smothered by unfruitful efforts.

As the world mourned the death of the Zimbabwean lion, Cecil, five elephants were killed in Kenya but Kenyans themselves barely noticed. Zimbabwe was so bothered over the death of one animal when in Kenya, for five elephants, there was barely a cry heard. Luckily two poachers were arrested for this crime but they’d already taken their hit on Kenya.

As the Wild A team, there are times we have felt like our efforts are fruitless, like it is taking too long to see results. Regardless, it is not fair to leave that innocent giraffe in the hands of cruel, selfish killers. These animals need us just as much as we need them for their beauty, for sustainability, tourism income and for our economy.

This article ended up applying to us as a team but it was originally for you. For those of you who want to make a difference, remember that first time, why you ever thought of starting the project you are working on.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/29/africa/zimbabwe-cecil-the-lion-killed/

By Tracy Wankio.