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Poachers' Poison Slays Rare Elephant

Giant male ate spiked pineapples

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 15, 2009 3:39 AM CDT

(Newser) – A rare Sumatran elephant died after eating pineapples spiked with poison by poachers in northwestern Indonesia, officials report. The giant 30-year-old male, its tusks ripped out for the ivory, was the ninth Sumatran elephant found dead in the region in the last three months. At least seven of them were poisoned in some manner. Only 3000 of the animals exist in nature.

Conservationists and officials inspect the carcass of an elephant near Pekanbaru, Riau province, Sumatra island.
Conservationists and officials inspect the carcass of an elephant near Pekanbaru, Riau province, Sumatra island.   (AP Photo)
Wildlife rangers are mounted on elephants used to drive wild elephants back into the forest to avert conflicts with humans in Aceh province in Indonesia earlier this year.
Wildlife rangers are mounted on elephants used to drive wild elephants back into the forest to avert conflicts with humans in Aceh province in Indonesia earlier this year.   (AP Photo/Heri Juanda)
Wildlife rangers ride elephants used to drive wild elephants back into the forest to avert conflicts with humans inf Aceh province in Indonesia earlier this year.
Wildlife rangers ride elephants used to drive wild elephants back into the forest to avert conflicts with humans inf Aceh province in Indonesia earlier this year.   (AP Photo/Heri Juanda)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
SBS
Jun 15, 2009 2:14 AM CDT
Hopefully DNA is being saved from these animals so that someday it may be possible to clone them.
Caps
Jun 15, 2009 1:34 AM CDT
A bunch of igronant people
Observer
Jun 15, 2009 1:26 AM CDT
Sadly, the Ivory is probably the equivalent of 5 years income for the avergae Sumatran. Strong incentive to kill for.

 
crime • ivory • poison • wildlife • elephant • Sumatra • Sumatran elephant • poachers

 
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