DC -- Natl Air and Space Museum -- Temporary Exhibit: Why Is This Elephant In This Room?:
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SIAIEL_150822_09.JPG: Why is this Elephant in this Room?
Because fewer and fewer are in the wild.
Every day, close to 100 African elephants are killed for ivory (their tusks). Poachers also target male Asian elephants, and the numbers killed are getting higher. Demand comes from around the globe, including here in the United States where we have the world's second largest market for ivory and other trafficked products.
[Oddly enough, the exhibit simultaneously at the National Postal Museum said 75 elephants were killed every day.]
Elephants are already at risk from global climate change and habitat loss; the increase in poaching worsens the threat to species survival. If the market for ivory isn't stopped, we swill very soon live in a world without wild elephants.
Wildlife trafficking (the illegal trade in wildlife, including elephants) is everyone's problem, and we can all be part of the solution. Start the conversation: share what you learn about the global threat from wildlife trafficking. Ending the demand is the best action we can take to protect many of Earth's most remarkable species.
A small amount of the US Fish and Wildlife Service's repository of six tons of seized elephant ivory.
SIAIEL_150822_12.JPG: What else can you do? Be aware of what you buy. If you buy exotic pets (fish, mammals, reptiles and other animals that are not considered domestic) or products made from animals -- here or abroad -- make sure what you buy is legal and taken from animals with sustainable populations.
SIAIEL_150822_14.JPG: Airplanes and Elephant Conservation in Kenya
Elephant populations worldwide are on a dangerous decline because of poaching and habitat loss. Aircraft can be used to help protect elephants and their habitats, support anti-poaching units on the ground, and arrest poachers. Aerial patrols enable better observation and cover far more territory than is possible on the ground in thick bush country.
Finding elephants is easier from the air in the remote and rugged Tsavo West National Park on Kenya.
Seized elephant tusks, and snares, spears, and bicycles used by poachers. Poachers also use assault weapons and rocket-propelled grenades to attack park rangers and airplanes.
SIAIEL_150822_16.JPG: Kenya Wildlife Service Airwing
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) uses aerial surveillance to protect elephants and to assist in the management of 55 parks, reserves, and sanctuaries totaling over a half million square kilometers. Created in 1990, the KWS Airwing has 12 pilots and 15 aircraft. In recent years, its low-level surveillance has eliminated daytime elephant poaching in the parks and reserves and forced poachers to operate at night or in other areas.
A Kenya Wildlife Service Bell 206 LongRanger IV follows a herd of elephants to check on their welfare.
A KWS Piper PA-18 Super Cub cruises over Kenya's Nguila Hills slowly enough to spot wildlife, trails, tourists, and poachers. Following wildlife at altitudes as low as 30 meters (100 feet) requires skillful maneuvering with no margin for error.
Anthony Kiroken, of the Maasai people of Kenya, flies for KWS.
SIAIEL_150822_18.JPG: Biologist and Pilot Dr. Bill Clark
Aerobatic Pilot Patty Wagstaff
SIAIEL_150822_21.JPG: 100 elephants -- About how many African elephants are killed each day
SIAIEL_150822_23.JPG: 0 -- How many wild elephants will be left if we don't end the demand for illegal ivory.
SIAIEL_150822_26.JPG: Every day, close to 100 African elephants are killed for ivory (their tusks). Poachers also target male Asian elephants, and the numbers killed are getting higher. Demand comes from around the globe, including here in the United States where we have the world's second largest market for ivory and other trafficked products.
Elephants are already at risk from global climate change and habitat loss; the increase in poaching worsens the threat to species survival. If the market for ivory isn't stopped, we swill very soon live in a world without wild elephants.
SIAIEL_150822_29.JPG: Wildlife trafficking (the illegal trade in wildlife, including elephants) is everyone's problem, and we can all be part of the solution. Start the conversation: share what you learn about the global threat from wildlife trafficking. Ending the demand is the best action we can take to protect many of Earth's most remarkable species.
A small amount of the US Fish and Wildlife Service's repository of six tons of seized elephant ivory.
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2014_DC_SIAIR_Hawaii: DC -- Natl Air and Space Museum -- Temporary Exhibit: Hawaii By Air (in Gallery 104) (64 photos from 2014)
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2015 photos: Equipment this year: I mostly used my Fuji XS-1 camera but, depending on the event, I also used a Nikon D7000.
I retired from the US Census Bureau in god-forsaken Suitland, Maryland on my 58th birthday in May. Yee ha!
Trips this year:
a quick trip to Florida.
two Civil War Trust conferences (Raleigh, NC and Richmond, VA), and
my 10th consecutive San Diego Comic-Con trip (including Los Angeles).
Ego Strokes: Carolyn Cerbin used a Kevin Costner photo in her USA Today article. Miss DC pictures were used a few times in the Washington Post.
Number of photos taken this year: just over 550,000.
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