by Eleisha C Newman (Show email address.)

What were you doing on Sunday 6th January 2008, at 11.30 am?
Where were you when an elephant was shot dead?

"Tusker". He was friendly, a star of attraction in the Zimbabwe Reserve where he was entitled to live free from persecution. Waste not, want not; despite laws that forbid giving food to elephants (who learn quickly from human affection) he would feed his giant (typically vegan) body on food given him or thrown away by locals and visiting tourists. Not so affectionately, he was nicknamed "Dustbin".

Tusker was accused of a crime and, without trial, sentenced to death.
Why? A tradition was started, and has continued to be tolerated, of throwing an annual party in the National Park Reserve.

In the words of someone who knew Tusker, and loved him: "Our argument is that a party of this magnitude, which is attended every year by thousands of youngsters, should not be held in a National Park. This is why it is called a "game reserve" and not a "people reserve". There is a sign near the entrance of Charara Camp that states "No loud music after 9pm" and "no fireworks". The proprietors of Charara Camp hire the biggest music system in Zimbabwe and the music is so loud, it can be heard 2km away! Where were the organizers of the party when the youngsters started throwing fireworks at Tusker? How do people bring their children up so that they behave in such a despicable manner?"

Cars were damaged at the party (perhaps 2, perhaps 7). If an elephant can damage a car, he can hurt a person (so the logic goes). Tusker was there. The Conservation Officer who knew him so well said "They were pulling hairs out of Tusker's tail and slapping him on the rump and running away laughing. They were driving around the camp at high speeds, flashing headlights in Tusker's eyes and hooting at him. And we also have reports of fireworks and beer bottles being thrown at him. Despite all this senseless abuse, we have had no reports of Tusker hurting anyone - which is a testament to his basic good nature."

Days later, despite objections from the Conservation Task Force and world-wide protests from many thousands of his friends around the world, a Court Order was obtained for Tusker's execution. There was no enquiry, no respite, he was shot. Dead.

Norman Baker, MP for Lewes and Vice President of the RSPCA, stated "...regarding the culling of an elephant in Zimbabwe. I was very sorry to learn of the way this particular animal has been treated and there can be no excuse for the provocative teasing which is described. In general terms, this reveals an increasing problem in the future, namely that with the human population growing exponentially in Africa, the competition for land between humans and animals is increasing and, invariably, it is the animals who lose."

African elephants are already on the endangered species list. They are very big and have need of much land. But they are not the only victims in Africa. Nor, of course, is Africa the only country affected by competition for the use of land. Nor are human uses of land of greater value than those of other species.

Elephants contribute in a characteristically big way to the fertility of the soil and formation of sustainable and beautiful landscapes. They are productive (and necessary) stakeholders in the business of building a peaceful and secure world.

There are also many smaller creatures who have a meaningful part to play, yet who are threatened. Their executions occur without Court Order. Unnoticed, unrecognized, unimagined by people, neither near nor far. Neither in Zimbabwe nor Lewes.

Tusker's example speaks for them all.

"Goodbye, my big friend!"
May you Feast in Peace, in the land of love and sharing.

NEWS UPDATE: Tusker's death is bringing to light previously hidden information about the safety of young people attending parties in the Reserve, and the future of African elephants. Hundreds of elephants are due to be killed, and their mortal remains given as food to crocodiles on a crocodile farm. The crocodiles are in turn killed and made into products for the luxury market. If a herd of elephants were given refuge in the South Downs National Park, would their future be more secure?

Source: Mr Johnny Rodrigues, Chairman for Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force