Technology Helps Save Elephants and Rhinos

10/24/2013

Poachers often kill elephants for their ivory.

Hello, again, and welcome. I’m Jim Tedder in Washington. Our program today is all about animals. First we will hear about a group of people who are working to save the African elephant from poachers. New money and new ideas are involved in the project. Then we will focus attention on Kenya. Officials there have begun using small electronic devices to protect rhinos. As It Is, information you can use to help you learn English is coming your way.

The Clinton Global Initiative is working with conservation groups and African governments to increase efforts to save the African elephant.

The animal’s existence is severely threatened. In just 2012 alone, poachers – illegal wildlife traders -- killed more than 35,000 of the animals.

John Calvelli of the Wildlife Conservation Society described the organization’s 80 million dollar plan to reporters in New York. He said the goal is to stop the killing. Mr. Calvelli said funds will be used to support national governments to improve anti-poaching enforcement at 50 top places where elephants are found. An additional 3,100 park guards will be hired.

“To stop the trafficking, efforts will be increased by strengthening intelligence networks and penalties for violation. And adding training and sniffer dog teams at ten key transit points.”