Thailand: The problems of elephant tourism

Cambodian authorities have seized 3 tons of elephant tusks from Mozambique following a tip from the US Embassy. The demand for ivory from China and Vietnam is a driving factor in Cambodia's illegal wildlife trade.

A group of women in Samburu, Kenya have taken it upon themselves to look after their gentle giants neighbors. Mama Tembo, which means "elephant mother" in Swahili, combines technology with community interaction.

South Africa, which has about 80% of the world's remaining Rhinos just witnessed a gruesome murder of a poacher. After been killed by an elephant, the said poacher was then eaten by a pride of lions in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Botswana government fends off criticism over its decision to end a five year ban on elephant hunting saying it was only a suspension to see what was happening in their ecosystem, whilst assuring that the move will not reduce the animals' population.

Nueng the elephant is an attraction for rides - though it's unlikely to be his choice. The 30 year old male is one of the elephants in the Maesa Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand.

Botswana has just announced the lifting of the ban on elephant hunting, a highly criticized international measure rooted in the many human-animal conflicts in this rural southern African country.

Singapore said it had seized 9.7 tons of elephant ivory, a record haul by authorities in the city-state, which conservation groups said is a transit point for the illegal wildlife trade.

From September 2021, Singapore will ban local sales of ivory, removing a key end-market for the valuable material. Some 100 African elephants are estimated to be killed each day by poachers who want their tusks.

Gin made a comeback some years ago with small distilleries springing up everywhere. Not least in South Africa, which is increasingly becoming the place to go for gin-lovers. Amongst the new versions constantly coming onto the market, one stands out.

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in northern Kenya is one of few reserves to employ women, elephant keepers. Here, in East Africa's first community-owned and run elephant sanctuary, workers rescue, rehabilitate and 'rewild' orphaned and abandoned elephant calves.

A pregnant elephant was killed in India after eating fruit stuffed with explosives, officials said Wednesday, sparking outrage over the use of such traps to protect crops and homes. The wild elephant strayed into a village near Silent Valley National Park in south Kerala state last Wednesday when it ate the rigged fruit -- believed to be a pineapple -- which exploded and severely injured its mouth, officials said.

Kenya's elephant population has more than doubled from 1989 to today, its wildlife service announced at an event marking World Elephant Day. Tourism Minister Najib Balala said authorities have "managed to tame poaching."