IFAW Rescues Elephant Calf From Poachers

[Guest guest]

Hi,

 

I just wanted to share some good news with you. IFAW recently rescued an Asian

elephant calf from a leg trap set by poachers in China's Mengyang Nature

Reserve. After rehabilitation, " Ranran " will be reintroduced to the wild. For

more information and to read our latest press release,

http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw/general/default.aspx?oid=138874

 

Let me know if you have any questions,

 

Kerry

 

Kerry Branon

Communications Coordinator

IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)

765 Attucks Lane

Hyannis, MA 02601

508-744-2068

508-776-9872

kbranon

www.ifaw.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(Beijing, China - 2 August 2005) - Members of IFAW (International Fund for

Animal Welfare - <http://www.ifaw.org/> www.ifaw.org) rescued a three-year old

Asian elephant calf caught in a leg trap in China's Mengyang Nature Reserve. The

elephant was found on July 9, crippled by a clamp on its right-rear leg. The

calf, a victim of would-be poachers, was near death from a wound severely

infected with maggots and fungus.

 

 

 

" It is very disappointing that an elephant was nearly killed by poachers within

a protected nature reserve, " said Dr. Zhang Li IFAW's Director of China,

" Stronger measures must be taken to tackle wildlife poaching in the nature

reserves to prevent more animals from suffering and death. "

 

 

 

After finding the trapped elephant, members of IFAW's Asian elephant protection

team anesthetized the calf, freed its leg from the clamp and moved it to a

location where its wounds could treated by medical staff. Because the infection

was life-threatening IFAW consulted two prestigious elephant veterinarians in

India and England concerning treatment options and established a fund to provide

medical support for the calf. Team members also named the female calf " Ranran, "

Chinese for both " safety " and " a turning point in one's life. "

 

 

 

Following the incident, a special investigation was authorized by Mr. Tao

Shuangshou, Bureau Chief of Xishuang Banna Prefecture's forestry police.

Anti-poaching measures were increased in the area and forestry police, in

co-operation with local commercial and industry administration officers,

confiscated 585 clamps of various sizes from local hardware shops and forests.

 

 

 

Ranran's condition is stable and improving. " After Ranran is fully recovered,

she will be returned to her mother jungle, for that's where her real home is, "

said Mr. Tao.

 

 

 

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)

 

Founded in 1969, IFAW works to protect animals and their habitats. With offices

in 15 countries around the world, IFAW works to protect whales, elephants, great

apes, big cats, dogs and cats, seals, and other animals. To learn how to help,

please visit <http://www.ifaw.org/> www.ifaw.org.

 

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The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW -- <a

href= " http://www.ifaw.org " >www.ifaw.org</a>) works to improve the welfare of

wild and domestic animals throughout the world by reducing commercial

exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in

distress. IFAW seeks to motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and to

promote animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of

both animals and people.

 

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