Image of the Day: Mother elephant and her calf attacked with firebombs as deforestation drives them into the paths of humans
26 April 2019 (The Science News Reporter) – Due to the deforestation across India, numerous elephants can be seen wandering in the villages and communities. [Sadly, this is very common, cf. Photo of baby elephant on fire after being attacked by mob wins international award – “The calf screams in confusion and fear as the fire licks at her feet”. –Des]
Numerous animals across India have been forced to encroach on human habitats in search of food and shelter, and end up wandering through villages or across crop fields, desperately trying to find a new home.
However, people often take extreme measures in order to prevent these animals from damaging their property.
The previous photo has caught the moment when angry Bishnupur residents launch firebombs at a mother elephant and her calf as a way to stop them from wandering onto their crops. The panicking animals run across the road, terrified. […]
These heartbreaking images were taken by photographer Biplab Hazra, whose goal is to raise awareness about the state of elephants due to their endangered habitat. […]
According to the Independent: “The images highlight the extraordinary level of violence the endangered species faces as they try to survive in smaller, more fragmented habitats. Herds of elephants can cause significant damage to crops, impacting people’s livelihoods. Some farmers use flaming torches to frighten elephants away from inhabited areas.” [more]
