We humans are solely responsible for endangering multiple species of animals. Quite recently horrific trade related to the skin of Asain Elephants has come into light. According to figures from the Burma government, elephant poaching rose by 25% in just two years and more than 400kg of elephant skin was seized in south-west China recently, which can sell for up to $60 a kilo.
The magnificent creature has been slaughtered to feed the growing Chinese demand for elephant skin, which is used in medicine and to make macabre jewellery. The disturbing pictures were taken during an undercover operation, funded by a British-based charity, Elephant Family.
They tracked poachers who strip the hide and sell to China, despite an international ban on poaching. The horrific trade is responsible for an escalating number of skinned carcasses being found in the jungles. Despite the Burmese government recording only four cases in the past few months, unofficial sources believe at least 50 elephants have been skinned this year so far.
Dr Khyne U Mar, an Asian elephant expert, says: ‘I am very concerned about this trade. It is very new.We recently started finding increasing amounts of cut-up, dried elephant skin.’
Investigators tracked the skin to a notorious wildlife market at Mong La on the Burma-Chinese border, which serves as a major international hub in the trade in endangered animals.
