tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post8882247210446738949..comments2024-03-19T18:51:58.496-05:00Comments on Cultural Front: Haley Reading Group: Bryan Christy’s “Tracking Ivory”H. Rambsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16862209871277442972noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-32558086137992210792017-10-24T22:05:28.970-05:002017-10-24T22:05:28.970-05:00The part that stuck out to me the most was on page...The part that stuck out to me the most was on page 14, it states that "During these years Sudanese poachers arrived in groups of more than a dozen armed men, camping inside the park for months at a time, killing, in one instance, 64 elephants in a single hunt." It saddens me that so many elephants were carelessly killed just for their tusks. Even if just one elephant was killed it would be sad, but 64 elephants were slaughtered for an unnecessary cause. It just makes me think of all the animals who are killed day to day for people to have designer items, such as coats or shoes.Persephone Colenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-35894204808798748622017-10-18T10:58:51.616-05:002017-10-18T10:58:51.616-05:00The following statement can be found on page 12: &...The following statement can be found on page 12: "Poachers killed at least 132 last year, and as of this June, rangers had discovered another 42 carcasses with bullet holes, more than 30 attributed to a single Sudanese poaching expedition - a combined loss amounting to more than 10 percent of the park's entire population of elephants, estimated now to be no more than about 1,500. (12)" This is so, so disheartening. Taking the lives of these creatures as a means of obtaining money is selfish. Money may come and go, but once a life is taken it cannot be restored. Kellsey Hedigernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-72738886713660437602017-10-15T13:56:59.458-05:002017-10-15T13:56:59.458-05:00The most interesting thing is the link between mil...The most interesting thing is the link between militia groups and men, Kony for example, and Ivory. The Ivory is used to supply and sustain acts of terrorism. Ivory was known as kony's savings account (Christy 9). Ivory on its own can be harmless, but in the possession of militia's can be a form of mass destruction. It shows how something that seems so unrelated can have a profound effect on lives.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15472530413849370193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-1889757197140732962017-10-14T13:48:58.767-05:002017-10-14T13:48:58.767-05:00I actually found two things interesting about this...I actually found two things interesting about this read. On page 4 they talk about how park rangers and people are being killed over access to these tusks. Which is pretty extreme to me, it shows just how valuable these tusks are in the real world to take a life over them. And also on page 12 they talk about how helicopters were used in killing the elephants based on the bullets in the skull. To know that people are getting in helicopters to hunt these down also shows the value of these tusks. People really want them. <br /><br /><br />- De'Abrion JoynerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-4817569333763651232017-10-14T13:44:28.308-05:002017-10-14T13:44:28.308-05:00There were two things that caught my interest when...There were two things that caught my interest when reading this. On page 4 they talk about how park rangers and people are being killed over these ivory tusks which is crazy tome to think that they can be that valuable to take lives over. And on page 12 they say that the bullet holes in the top of the skulls come from helicopters. If they come from helicopters that is also showing just how valuable these tusks have to be. People are taking helicopters to hunt for them.De'Abrion Joynerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09529731172818948538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-11578866440731030052017-10-13T18:01:36.760-05:002017-10-13T18:01:36.760-05:00Learning of the sheer number of African elephants ...Learning of the sheer number of African elephants being hunted for their tusks disturbed me. Christy writes, "Poachers killed at least 132 last year, and as of this June, rangers had discovered another 42 carcasses with bullet holes, more than 30 attributed to a single Sudanese poaching expedition - a combined loss amounting to more than 10 percent of the park's entire population of elephants." Such a disregard for these protected animals' lives is sickening, and more needs to be done to prevent poaching.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05425549821937085718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-35990500477839568932017-10-09T15:18:59.784-05:002017-10-09T15:18:59.784-05:00 What I found most disturbing was that elephants w... What I found most disturbing was that elephants were being killed for their tusks. On page 12 it said that they used to be able to fly over the park and see 5,000 elephants in a single gathering. Now it was rare to see 250 in a herd. This is upsetting because elephants should be able to live freely rather than be killed for their tusks.<br /><br />~Tashawna N. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-57531762617157211822017-10-06T10:40:44.634-05:002017-10-06T10:40:44.634-05:00What caught my attention was the worth of ivory tu...What caught my attention was the worth of ivory tusks. I always had an understanding that they must be expensive. This article states that people go as far to use them as a type of currency.<br /><br />J Kolbe K.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-32658346915592355002017-10-06T10:39:38.870-05:002017-10-06T10:39:38.870-05:00One thing that stood out to me, and caught my atte...One thing that stood out to me, and caught my attention in "Tracking Ivory," was the fact that the military and government was taking part in poaching African elephants in Sudan. "According to Céline Sissler-Bienvenu, Francophone Africa director..., who led a group into the park after the slaughter [of African elephants], the poachers were most likely from Darfur's Rizeigat tribal group, with ties to the Janjaweed - the violent, Sudanese-government-backed militias that have committed atrocities in Darfur" (15). The government in Sudan is not only allowing the poaching of African elephants, but have some partake in it as well.<br /><br />Poaching in Sudan is so bad that nearly thousands of elephants are killed every year. It's a major problem in Sudan and many parts of Africa and something needs to be done to end the poaching of African elephants. If not, poaching in these areas will only continue to grow.<br /><br />- Marcus B.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-87806377031048948192017-10-06T10:39:15.789-05:002017-10-06T10:39:15.789-05:00What really bothered me, was reading how senseless...What really bothered me, was reading how senseless and barbaric people could be towards such docile creatures. Elephants are being slain frequently and abundantly for the mere exotic value of their ivory. On page 12, Christy says “And someone is believed to be killing elephants from helicopters, as evidenced by bullet holes in the tops of skulls,” (12). The fact that people would go to such eccentric lengths to do such heartless things is pitiful, and it’s a shame that they can’t just appreciate the beauty of this species. <br /><br />-Mike Dade<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-86806799956879833422017-10-06T08:34:04.529-05:002017-10-06T08:34:04.529-05:00I found it most concerning that countries are losi...I found it most concerning that countries are losing a large percentage of their elephant population. Page 4 stated that the Tanzanian government announced that the country has lost 60 percent of its elephants in the past five years, down from 110,000 to 44,000. This is important to me because at that rate, the entire population could be eradicated in a few years if the pregnant and baby elephants are also being killed. Jeremiah T.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-13923959517979850952017-10-04T11:00:25.310-05:002017-10-04T11:00:25.310-05:00One point that was particularly alarming to me was...One point that was particularly alarming to me was the description of the dead elephants. On page 12, rangers saw there were another 42 carcasses with bullet holes. The fact that these beautiful creatures are being hunted at all is shocking, given they aren't endangering anything. I feel that if the ivory trade is such a big deal, other means of obtaining ivory should be used to prevent the mass slaughtering of these animals.Shardai J-Hamptonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-81944396858505319132017-10-02T23:58:36.071-05:002017-10-02T23:58:36.071-05:00One point concerning the plight of African elephan...One point concerning the plight of African elephants that I paid attention to the most was that the unfortunate situation of the African elephants was leading us to the more important situation of Kidnappings and other evil operations done by the poachers and the sinister organizations and not just the trading of Ivory. On page 7 it is stated by Dante that he is not "an animal lover, I'm a problem solver". In my perspective, this gives motivation that this tracking mission isn't necessarily for the elephants, but for the real problem. While it is tragic for the elephants that poaching is causing their population to go down significantly,the various illegal activity seems to be the main focus of this tracking mission.<br />--Xavier Morrison-WallaceXavier Morrison-Wallacenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-60623306660160403052017-10-02T12:47:38.136-05:002017-10-02T12:47:38.136-05:00The point concerning the plight of African elephan...The point concerning the plight of African elephants that caught my attention can be found on page 6. The quote "For 10 years Khartoum supplied him with food, medicine, and arms..." stood out to me because it reflects the government's role in handling the poaching epidemic. Africa's government did not do enough stop the poaching and often times the rangers an authorities participated in obtaining the ivory for their own profit.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06926647560294551516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-89202248893068451612017-10-02T12:46:32.840-05:002017-10-02T12:46:32.840-05:00"Poachers killed at least 132 last year, and ... "Poachers killed at least 132 last year, and as of this June, rangers had discovered another 42 carcasses with bullet holes, more than 30 attributed to a single Sudanese poaching expedition - a combined loss amounting to more than 10 percent of the park's entire population of elephants." The blatant lack of concern or empathy for other animals caught my attention the most. Additionally, I found it alarming that although this practice is illegal, the government does nothing to stop it and does nothing to try to find the ones who are doing this. Furthermore, the fact that people choose to kill thousands of elephants instead of tranquilizing them and cutting them off so the elephants can regrow them is ridiculous to me. Fiona Hillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-34548735754646286462017-10-02T09:24:20.927-05:002017-10-02T09:24:20.927-05:00The passage on page 12 that says, “rangers had dis...The passage on page 12 that says, “rangers had discovered another 42 carcasses with bullet holes, more than 30 atttibuted to a single Sundanese poaching expedition”. Personally elephants are my favorite animal so hearing that these creatures are being hunted down and killed for the ivory is heartbreaking. This part of the passage astounds me even more that in one expedition they killed 30 of them. Especially when in year they say about 132 were killed and roughly a 1/3 of them can be killed all at once. They are beautiful animals who often leave us alone so I don’t understand why we can’t do the same. <br />Jazmyn MaggittAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16671715338660471909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-65668141295742557472017-09-25T09:46:39.977-05:002017-09-25T09:46:39.977-05:00On page 12 where Christy says you used to be able ...On page 12 where Christy says you used to be able to fly over and see 5,000 elephants but now you can rarely see 250. This stuck out to me because its not that long ago that he was able to see so many elephants and just over one lifetime that number has fallen so drastically. I really like animals and the fact that people are killing them at such an alarming rate is horrible.Maya Searcyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08225623267149919269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-10653362891431277052017-09-25T01:31:07.378-05:002017-09-25T01:31:07.378-05:00While reading "Tracking Ivory," I realiz...While reading "Tracking Ivory," I realized the severity of elephant poaching and how despicable people must be in order to perform such an act against something thriving with life. On page 14, Christy discusses Zakouma National Park, which is home to Africa's largest remaining elephant herd. The fact that this park has lost "...over 90 percent of its elephants since 2002.." is absolutely horrifying--these poachers are so fixated on obtaining elephants and their lives that they would put themselves in danger for it (Christy 14). <br /><br />Victoria W.Victoria Wrightnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-15833796542093492292017-09-25T00:50:30.571-05:002017-09-25T00:50:30.571-05:00Page 12 makes reference to “bullet holes in the to...Page 12 makes reference to “bullet holes in the tops of skulls and the removal of tusks by can only be chainsaws”. This really caught my attention because the elephants were killed in such a horrific way. Their bodies were mutalated for the financial gain of the poachers. These elephants have roamed African for hundreds of year, and I think that the poachers show disrespect to the elephants by invading their natural habitat and causing their population to rapidly decline. <br /><br />Jasmine WilliamsAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00055501454161925233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-65843978209942747932017-09-24T21:44:25.597-05:002017-09-24T21:44:25.597-05:00One part of this passage that really caught my att... One part of this passage that really caught my attention was when Jean Fremont, a director of the park, voiced his opinion that the Ugandan military, "is conducting operations in Garamba and at the same time taking some ivory," as an afterthought to seeing bullet holes in the heads of some 48 elephants (12). This opinion, based off the realization that SPLA uses the same helicopters, sickens me. Especially because the idea was rejected by one of Uganda's military advisors. To me, this only serves the propel the previous proposition. <br /><br />Cheniya A.Cheniya A.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-66504254361524206602017-09-24T19:22:21.603-05:002017-09-24T19:22:21.603-05:00I found the whole article very sad but page 12 was...I found the whole article very sad but page 12 was especially disappointing because it said, "Poachers killed at least 132 last year, and as of this June, rangers had discovered another 42 carcasses with bullet holes". I just don't understand ow they could kill so many animals and feel no remorse about it. I am very passionate about animals and I do not think we have the right to kill them in their own habitat.<br />-Alexis Robinson<br />A. Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06901950602842524876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-65919287323271910082017-09-24T17:34:06.913-05:002017-09-24T17:34:06.913-05:00I found it disturbing that the Ugandan army only l...I found it disturbing that the Ugandan army only looked at elephants as ammunition. They were out hunting and killing elephants, just for their tusks. Ammunition can be acquired in many different ways but they would rather kill animals minding their own business. One of the soldiers was able to prevent the killing of the elephants until he was detained. <br /><br />Sydney J.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-12853404640826863762017-09-22T23:57:41.259-05:002017-09-22T23:57:41.259-05:00The last paragraph of the chapter really stood out...The last paragraph of the chapter really stood out to me. It states,"Meanwhile, as leaders in Europe, the Middle East, and the United States strategize about how to stop the ever-expanding network of international terrorist organizations, somewhere in Africa a park ranger stands his post, holding an AK-47 and a handful of bullets, manning the frontline for all of us." Terrorism manifests in different ways, and elephant poaching is just one of many.Sierra Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=595859379914711075&postID=8882247210446738949&bpli=1&pli=1noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-64004110850806412802017-09-22T22:14:57.975-05:002017-09-22T22:14:57.975-05:00Reading this was incredibly sad for me. It was act...Reading this was incredibly sad for me. It was actually one of the hardest things for me to read. When it said"Poachers killed at least 132 last year, and as of this June, rangers had discovered another 42 carcasses with bullet holes", I had to re-read it because I thought that I had read it wrong. It is staggering to me, because we always hear it in passing or in a class that animals are being killed, but to see numbers, and names of the animals, its just disheartening. This needs to be spread more so we can do something about it. <br /><br />Kaelyn B.Kaelyn Blunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15605417733650580249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-41704229880590747502017-09-22T22:14:34.976-05:002017-09-22T22:14:34.976-05:00Reading this was incredibly sad for me. It was act...Reading this was incredibly sad for me. It was actually one of the hardest things for me to read. When it said"Poachers killed at least 132 last year, and as of this June, rangers had discovered another 42 carcasses with bullet holes", I had to re-read it because I thought that I had read it wrong. It is staggering to me, because we always hear it in passing or in a class that animals are being killed, but to see numbers, and names of the animals, its just disheartening. This needs to be spread more so we can do something about it. <br /><br />Kaelyn B.Kaelyn Blunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15605417733650580249noreply@blogger.com