Page:Hunting and trapping stories; a book for boys (IA huntingtrappings00pric).pdf/33

HUNTING AND CATCHING WILD ELEPHANTS Years ago in India elephants were shot right and left, simply to get their ivory, and it looked as though the great creatures would soon become extinct. Then the Indian Government stepped in and put a stop to the slaughter. Elephants are now shot only under special circumstances, for practically all the herds are the property of the government.

The African elephant is even worse off than its Indian brother in the matter of protection, for Africa has not, as yet, any government worthy the name of civilized. Consequently the slaughter goes merrily on. Experienced travellers tell us that in a few years the African elephant will be entirely extinct. It is to be hoped that measures will be taken to protect some of the herds before it is too late. It is a well known fact that districts on the East Coast of Africa that had large herds of elephants a few years ago have none to-day, and the blame is almost entirely to be laid at the doors of the white man. A single hunter, armed with an express rifle, can soon kill an elephant, or even several in a day ; whereas, it takes half a native tribe to run down and kill a single specimen. This satisfies them for some days, as the meat thus obtained lasts quite a long while.

There are three ways in which the elephant is captured. First, by native hunters ; second, by white men who shoot it: and third, where entire herds are trapped alive, and then taught and trained to become beasts of burden.