Can Creativity Stop the Elephants' Stampede Toward Extinction?

Elephants are extremely intelligent, sensitive animals, so it's only appropriate that some of the best strategies to protect them are a combination of community and creativity.

For instance, conservationists and farmers have found ways to play off elephants' fears, using chili-infused string and beehives on poles, to create low-impact, low-cost fences that reduce human-elephant conflicts.

In the southern part of Sumatra, about 22 of 37 villages in the area have a history of elephant problems. Donny Gunaryadi, the Wildlife Conservation Society-Indonesia Elephant Conservation Coordinator, says that the rice and maize grown in the area is "like eating candy" for the elephants. But that treat comes at a high cost; when there's a raid, elephants are poisoned or shot. Insects do more damage to crops, Gunaryadi says, but "psychologically, elephant is big. It's an easy target."

So, WCS created the Crop Protection Unit. It's the safari version of a classic neighborhood watch. Everyone keeps an eye out for trouble; if a potential crop raid is spotted, the unit is called and the team heads out to block the elephants. Though the team uses cellphones to stay in touch, the elephant deterrents are remarkably simple, like banging bamboo and using spotlights. Since the WCS Crop Protection Unit started in 2003, no humans or elephants have died.

In Kenya, the Laikipia Elephant Project is testing out collars on elephants that send a text message when the animals get too close to a farmer's fencing. Then, much like the Crop Protection Unit, a team is sent out to use traditional but effective tools to scare the elephants away.

Also in Kenya, a new elephant corridor, including a highway underpass, was recently completed to link Mount Kenya National Park and Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve. The corridor restores a migration route that would have otherwise been cut off by fencing; elephants are directed away from farms and toward more diverse habitat.

But despite all these efforts, elephants are killed every day. Just a few days ago, five endangered Sumatran elephants were found poisoned in Indonesia. The black market in ivory continues to thrive. Elephants are losing what's left of their home to habitat destruction and development.

That's why the Wildlife Conservation Society is calling on Congress to increase conservation funds.

What does the U.S. government have to do with elephant conservation halfway around the world? There are several programs that support global conservation efforts, like negotiating habitat restoration and protection, funding wildlife monitoring and training, and backing studies that help find the balance between development and conservation.

And, of course, there's that whole world leader thing, where a commitment from the U.S. makes a statement about the importance of an issue. Elephant conservation matters.

It's not just that elephants are intelligent animals with strong family ties that humans can relate to. Or that their sheer awe-inspiring size is unique on land. But they're an important part of the planet's biodiversity ... and they'll be gone within the century if we don't step up conservation.

Ask your representatives to increase conservation funds to protect elephants and other endangered species around the world. It's going to take smart solutions to save these smart animals ... but even the most creative conservation efforts need funding.

Photo credit: TheLizardQueen