MIKE

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has released a new update on its African elephant programs. You can download it at this post's link. (Must admit I could not get all of this to download on this computer, although I saw the full report earlier, as an attachment to an e-mail from NC Zoo veterinarian Dr. Mike Loomis, to my computer in Asheboro.) (Further NOTE - 7/20/05 - It downloaded cleanly and easily on my office PC; the Mac, and its software set-up at home, had the problem.)

Of about 20 pages of report, the first program reported on, in six pages or so of the overall report, is the one upon which Dr. Mike, Dr. Martin Tchamba, WWF, the NC Zoo Society and Cameroon have combined.

The study of Cameroonian African elephants aims to learn where they go (in and outside the preserves), what routes they follow, what interactions they have with people and how those interactions might be changed for the better of elephants and humans. Dr. Mike is the veterinarian who is needed to dart and anesthetize the elephants, so tracking collars can be installed.

The report includes tracking maps of two of the individual elephants involved in the study.

Interestingly, the report notes that the project compares its results with another study called, coincidentally "MIKE" (Monitoring Illegal Killing of Elephants").

Dr. Mike has seen much evidence of poaching activity this trip. And the report's findings includes evidence that logging operations are often a "breeding ground" for illegal poaching and illegal hunting. (Illegal hunters will often lure elephants with salt licks; elephants like the vegetation that comes up in logged areas.)

The WWF update includes a photo of NC Zoo vet Dr. Mike as he works over an anesthetized elephant.