3/1/2006: Poisoned elephants die

Undertoad · 03-01-2006, 10:37 AM

Terrible one today. Six rare wild elephants were found dead in a remote Sumatran jungle. It was determined that they were intentionally poisoned with potassium cyanide.

the only full story I could find on it says that the one male had its tusks removed, but didn't say whether that was the motive or what the motive would be. It does say that killing the elephants was a crime. And that the bodies above are a week old.

Emrikol · 03-01-2006, 11:07 AM

That's just horrible.

I don't think there's much more available to describe it...just horrible.

Trilby · 03-01-2006, 11:40 AM

what do you expect of people who CANE women?

Pretty bloody typical.

glatt · 03-01-2006, 11:43 AM

I look at this, and just don't get it. Somebody thought this would be a good idea. Somebody, somewhere was given a certain set of facts, and using those facts, came to the conclusion that the best course of action would be to kill these creatures. I don't get it. Most human behavior is understandable on some level, but I don't really understand this one.

Well, I guess after thinking about it, I do know what this is about. The person(s) who did this want money. The elephant tusks are worth money. Poison is cheap. They may or may not care that they killed 6 elephants and only one of them had tusks to steal. It's a lot easier to poison all the elephants than to try to take down just one and deal with the other living ones as you try to cut the tusks off the body of the dead one.

This is about money and laziness. It makes perfect sense.

I think of the people who did this as horrible monsters, but I wonder if I'm capable of doing it? If I was a desperate villager with a dying child who needed food or expensive medicine, I'd kill 6 elephants without hesitation if it would get me what I needed. Especially if I was fairly sure I wouldn't get caught.

But sitting here safely behind my clean desk, I think the people who did this are monsters.

Trilby · 03-01-2006, 12:03 PM

I do not have to go thru all the machinations that glatt does. A people who would cane a woman for loving (or, boinking) a man would do this to it's own animals. Once again, Gandhi serves as an example.

Elspode · 03-01-2006, 12:18 PM

People suck. Sure glad I'm not a person.

Kitsune · 03-01-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

I look at this, and just don't get it. Somebody thought this would be a good idea. Somebody, somewhere was given a certain set of facts, and using those facts, came to the conclusion that the best course of action would be to kill these creatures. I don't get it. Most human behavior is understandable on some level, but I don't really understand this one.

My question: If the elephants had been shot instead of poisoned, would it have made a difference in your opinion of the hunter(s)? Would it have even made IotD?

Happy Monkey · 03-01-2006, 12:41 PM

Elephants, plural? If the poacher had used a gun, the elephant with tusks would probably have been the only one killed, since they obviously didn't want anything else from the bodies. Five fewer dead would have been a bit better. And one dead elephant might not have made IOTD.

glatt · 03-01-2006, 01:02 PM

You know what I just realized this picture is? It's a very vivid and graphic portrayal of Tragedy of the Commons in its extreme.

barefoot serpent · 03-01-2006, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

You know what I just realized this picture is? It's a very vivid and graphic portrayal of Tragedy of the Commons in its extreme.

Yes, I was just going to say that elephants are often considered a nuisance in Asia and Africa for trampling on or eating farmers crops. The local solution is often as depicted above.

busterb · 03-01-2006, 01:44 PM

I'm guessing there's not a lot of firearms (legal) in Sumatra because of the unrest. It still sucks!

xoxoxoBruce · 03-01-2006, 05:05 PM

I'm glad they took the tusks from the male. If they try to sell them or even if they just keep them, someone(s) going to find out. Hopefully there will be a reward large enough to cause her/him/them to be caught.

Pancake Man · 03-01-2006, 06:03 PM

They can't get their country sorted out, but they can buy and effectively use cyanide? Sounds to me that their priorities are not in order.

Happy Monkey · 03-01-2006, 06:20 PM

I'm not sure dumping poison in a water hole requires much organization.

capnhowdy · 03-01-2006, 08:13 PM

Sad picture. Pisses me right on off.

I'd like to see a video of these people CANING AN ELEPHANT. Bet that wouldn't last long. Ground Sumatri. I hope they get caught.

Wait till Leah hears about this one.

03-01-2006, 10:37 AM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	3/1/2006: Poisoned elephants die Terrible one today. Six rare wild elephants were found dead in a remote Sumatran jungle. It was determined that they were intentionally poisoned with potassium cyanide. the only full story I could find on it says that the one male had its tusks removed, but didn't say whether that was the motive or what the motive would be. It does say that killing the elephants was a crime. And that the bodies above are a week old.

03-01-2006, 11:40 AM	#3
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	what do you expect of people who CANE women? Pretty bloody typical. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

03-01-2006, 12:03 PM	#5
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	I do not have to go thru all the machinations that glatt does. A people who would cane a woman for loving (or, boinking) a man would do this to it's own animals. Once again, Gandhi serves as an example. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

03-01-2006, 12:18 PM	#6
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	People suck. Sure glad I'm not a person. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

03-01-2006, 12:41 PM	#8
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	Elephants, plural? If the poacher had used a gun, the elephant with tusks would probably have been the only one killed, since they obviously didn't want anything else from the bodies. Five fewer dead would have been a bit better. And one dead elephant might not have made IOTD. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

03-01-2006, 11:07 AM	#2
Emrikol Compatriot-at-Arms Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 107	That's just horrible. I don't think there's much more available to describe it...just horrible.

03-01-2006, 11:43 AM	#4
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I look at this, and just don't get it. Somebody thought this would be a good idea. Somebody, somewhere was given a certain set of facts, and using those facts, came to the conclusion that the best course of action would be to kill these creatures. I don't get it. Most human behavior is understandable on some level, but I don't really understand this one. Well, I guess after thinking about it, I do know what this is about. The person(s) who did this want money. The elephant tusks are worth money. Poison is cheap. They may or may not care that they killed 6 elephants and only one of them had tusks to steal. It's a lot easier to poison all the elephants than to try to take down just one and deal with the other living ones as you try to cut the tusks off the body of the dead one. This is about money and laziness. It makes perfect sense. I think of the people who did this as horrible monsters, but I wonder if I'm capable of doing it? If I was a desperate villager with a dying child who needed food or expensive medicine, I'd kill 6 elephants without hesitation if it would get me what I needed. Especially if I was fairly sure I wouldn't get caught. But sitting here safely behind my clean desk, I think the people who did this are monsters.

03-01-2006, 01:02 PM	#9
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	You know what I just realized this picture is? It's a very vivid and graphic portrayal of Tragedy of the Commons in its extreme.

03-01-2006, 01:44 PM	#11
busterb NSABFD Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: MS. usa Posts: 3,908	I'm guessing there's not a lot of firearms (legal) in Sumatra because of the unrest. It still sucks! __________________ I've haven't left very deep footprints in the sands of time. But, boy I've left a bunch.

03-01-2006, 05:05 PM	#12
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	I'm glad they took the tusks from the male. If they try to sell them or even if they just keep them, someone(s) going to find out. Hopefully there will be a reward large enough to cause her/him/them to be caught. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

03-01-2006, 06:03 PM	#13
Pancake Man Hand-of-Kindness Extender Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 131	They can't get their country sorted out, but they can buy and effectively use cyanide? Sounds to me that their priorities are not in order.

03-01-2006, 06:20 PM	#14
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	I'm not sure dumping poison in a water hole requires much organization. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

03-01-2006, 08:13 PM	#15
capnhowdy Blatantly Homosapien Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,200	Sad picture. Pisses me right on off. I'd like to see a video of these people CANING AN ELEPHANT. Bet that wouldn't last long. Ground Sumatri. I hope they get caught. Wait till Leah hears about this one. __________________ Please type slowly. I can't read very fast............... and no holy water, please.

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