Another unnecessary massacre

Another unnecessary massacre. People. Seriously. What’s wrong with this world?

After the dolphin slaughter and shark finning, it is a dismay to write about elephant massacre. My activist friends alerted me to the news and I feel the need to mention it and hope that a little awareness will help save a few innocent lives.

Photo courtesy of New York Times

Due to a demand for ivory in Asia and Europe, poachers have slaughtered more than 200 elephants in the past five weeks in Cameroon, Africa. Though there was a ban on the international trade for ivory for more than 20 years, the illegal market is making it possible for the sale and export. The price of ivory has risen more than sevenfold since 2004 and it is worth as much as US$1,500 (HK$11,700) now.

Everything boils down to supply and demand. If people don’t want ivory for jewelry and ornaments, then it won’t be that expensive. If it doesn’t worth much, then the elephants won’t be killed for their tusks in such fashion.

I don’t think ivory will make you look any prettier or sexier. Style and personality are all about design and creativity, rather than clinging to a material. Everyone can make a difference by just rethinking about what we use and do every day. And it really isn’t that hard sometimes. It’s all about reprogramming our brain so we are not just following the conventions, or the herd.