Sumatra Elephants Poisoned

In Sumatran, we see another example of how humans live in conflict with animals. The Sumatra elephants, a protected species since 1931 are surviving in fragmented groups due to habitat loss. Over 80% of what was once their habitat has been converted to plantations.

This creates conflicts with farmers who come into close contact with these animals. Farmers are known to poison the elephants because of the damage they cause to their crops. Sixty-five percent of Sumatra elephants are killed by humans with half as a result of poisonings.

Most recently a group of five elephants under the age of five were poisoned by cyanide by nearby farmers. With less than 3,000 elephants left, a loss like this is brutal to theoverall species.

If these killings continue, it may spell a dim outlook for the Sumatra Elephant.