 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released a new policy on reviewing trophy imports of African species, including lions and elephants. Read my letter that reveals the plan's flaws and highlights my concerns.
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 Below is a letter I composed and sent to officials at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and legislators, expressing my thoughts and concerns about the lifted ban on elephant trophy imports from Zambia and Zimbabwe. For more information, click the links I've included below.
 Elephants in South Africa. African Parks began a campaign in 2016 to move 500 elephants across Malawi. She lays on the ground, her side rising and falling softly. As she sleeps, a crew of conservation experts works quickly to secure her feet for transport. She is then lifted by crane onto a platform and brought to a truck that will take her, along with her entire herd, 350 kilometers to a new home.
She has been chosen to join 500 other elephants being transported to Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve in Malawi. This is the largest translocation of elephants in human history, and just one example of African Parks’ efforts to protect endangered species across the continent. Happy Elephant Appreciation Day! It's been an incredible year for elephants and rhinos, and I am so thankful to have been a part of it. As I look back, I feel a mixture of intense pride in our progress and pinching anxiety for the future of these species.
 One of my recent origami elephants. It's been one year since I started this blog, and I'm so proud of the progress we've made toward saving elephants! Today marks one week before World Elephant Day 2016, so I've compiled a short list of ways you can support elephants this August 12.
 A herd of elephants, as seen from Gorah Elephant Camp. Hello again!
It's been a while since I've posted any stories, and for that I apologize. But I am pleased to announce that my absence was because of a study abroad trip to South Africa, where I was filming a documentary about animal conservation. My fellow travelers and student filmmakers can tell you that the trip was incredible and very eye-opening. We were privileged to spend three weeks traveling around SA with our hosts from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, who were kind enough to share the wonders of wildlife with us.  When we talk about ivory, we often focus mostly on elephant ivory. While elephants are the main target for ivory, rhinos are being targeted with as much force, for their horns. But why? Rhino horn isn't as good a quality of ivory, so why are they so endangered? An interesting question, let's find out!
 Looking back, I realize I haven't given much attention to rhinos, so here is an effort to change that. Below are six questions you didn't realize you had about rhinos. Don't click away, they're pretty interesting!
Q: How many rhino species are there?  Bethany Ellen with elephant Tombi at the Indianapolis Zoo in 2013. Photo provided. She squeaked. She rumbled. She chirped. In fact, Northern Kentucky University senior Bethany Ellen made many elephant sounds as she talked of her love for pachyderms. But this love is no passing fancy. The public relations major has spent the better part of her life admiring, collecting and studying all things elephant.
 Kentucky is one of the only states in the Midwest without a proposed ivory ban. After writing about the importance of an ivory discussion among Kentucky's legislators, I decided to introduce the topic to a few state representatives and senators. So I send out an email, targeting my personal district legislators but also those that serve on committees that could be (and should be) considering this topic in future months.
Below is one version of the message I wrote, addressing not only the importance of ivory legislation in Kentucky, but also the arguments of proponents and how our commonwealth can work to create a beneficial situation for all residents: |
AuthorKerry Skiff is a conservation advocate and recent journalism graduate of Northern Kentucky University. She follows the ivory trade around the world, and uses her voice to educate Americans about their role in animal conservation. Archives
September 2016
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