Tens of thousands of elephants likely killed last year, experts say

[limpyhobbler]

By Miguel Llanos, msnbc.com

Providing the grimmest count yet on Africa's wildlife crisis, the global body tracking endangered species reported Thursday that tens of thousands of elephants likely were slaughtered last year by poachers after their tusks. Rhinos, while fewer in number, also saw mass slaughter as poachers went after their horns.

Prices for both have skyrocketed due to demand in Asia, where tusks are used for ivory ornaments and horns as a traditional medicine.

The illegal trade is escalating and "pushing these species toward extinction," John Scanlon, secretary-general of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, said in testimony before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In the case of rhinos, just 25,000 of which are estimated left in the wild, extinction could come "during the lifetime of our children," he added.
...

complete piece: http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/24/11864661-tens-of-thousands-of-elephants-likely-killed-last-year-experts-say

[dipsydoodle]

1. The penalties of poaching should be up'd

Amputation of both legs and both arms comes to mind. Chances are that stumpy wouldn't do any more poaching.

[Surya Gayatri]

2. A little draconian perhaps, but hell yeah!

Maybe not both limbs, but at least one.
Then, there's always the threat of castration as an effective deterrent...

Hi dd!

[dipsydoodle]

3. Hi to you too !

[ProfessionalLeftist]

4. Until something in this world is worth more than MONEY

We'll keep destroying it.

I agree with the previous comment - start lopping off the poacher's limbs. THAT is worth more to at least some of them than money. It's what you have to get to in order to stop this.