100 Elephants were machined gunned down for their tusks in Chad, Africa. Tusks are carved from the skulls, then shipped in normal luggage to China’s extremely fast growing black market.

Above, Elephant with Half-Ear, Amboseli, Africa July 2010. Killed by Poachers August 2010. 

Big Life Foundation was founded by one man in 2010, Nick Brandt, a photographer and whom I consider an inspirational hero. Nick’s organization has had incredible successes in protecting elephants and their ecosystems in national parks throughout Kenya and other parts of Africa. For example, 

Within three months of being established, BIG LIFE has succeeded in breaking up the worst of the three main gangs operating along the Amboseli region Kenya/Tanzania border.This great success could not have been possible without the generosity of our donors who helped us purchase critical vehicles and equipment, hire anti-poaching teams, and develop our network of informers and associates.

In addition to poaching, drought and agriculture are threatening the species. Most of the ecosystems and land areas that Big Life works in are being impacted by climate change. For more on climate impacts, go here.

 

Elephants Walking Through Grass, Amboseli 2008. Leading Elephant Killed By Poachers, 2009.

Source: Big Life Foundation, an anti-poaching upstart by one man.