Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-07-18
SANCTUARY FOR ELEPHANTS.
somaIiland Would Mako a Good One II
Set Apart at Once.

u
Set Apart at Once.
A correspondent writes urging the
need of immediate action, if the African
elephant is to be saved from speedy eX-
tinction. Il desire to call attention.
he says, "to the opportunity which our
professionals over Somaliland gives US
for constituting a portion of that coun-
try a sanctuary for the remaining herds
of those animals-an opportunity
favorable in all respects that it seems
only necessary to state the case to IL
sure the adoption of this 1ncasuree
''Cf late years Somaliland has been
traversed by numerous parties OF
sportsmen, and the herds of elephants
which :, few years ago inhabited the
mountain range behind Rerbera have
been driven out. This took place in the
belt of country, the hunting in which is
now reserved for the use of officers OF
the Alden garrison. These herds, or the
remnants of them, have taken refuge
more than a hundred miles furthe- to
the west, in the country of the Gada-
burst, to the south of leila.
This large tract has been recently
added TO the Alden reserve, which there
fore now again contains elephants My
suggestion is that the shooting of ele-
plants should be prohibited within the
whole of the reserve. Great advantages
are granted to the officers of the Alden
garrison, which should he the last to
grudge them, and it is a small conces-
| sion to ask them to make in return
| that, within certain specified limits,
| they should abstain altogether from
killing elephants. 1 do not for a mo-
| ment believe that these gentlemen, who
are good sportsmen, would oppose this
measure. Even if the privilege were
nominally retained for them, it would
! not be of long duration. The expert
ence of the past would be repeated. 1t
| is not that the animals are eXtermi-
mated; the essential fact to be remenl-
bered is that a single shot fired at one
member of the herd is enough to make
a whole. band abandon that part OF the
country
"This belt of country is particularly
| favorable for the constitution of such
a sanctuary. 1t is comparatively near
home, and therefore likely to be under
constant observation. 1 saw tracks of
elephants on the 18th day from leav-
ing London. The close supervision by
the assistant residents, who are able
and experienced administrators, sta
toned on the coast, would be compare
lively easy, owing to the fact that nu-
merous parties of sportsmen traverse
the region in question every year, and
would, of course, report. They are
also kept informed by native caravans,
who visit the coast for purposes of trade,
and who, owing to the wise and just
treatment which they have received,
are our fast friends. The Somalis are
unar1ned, except with spears, and there
fore have not the power, even if they
had the will, to go behind the restric-
l TN 10, Gac !, ~
Elephants; therefore an elephant killed
is a ton of meat wasted, which is a thing
abhorrent to US all. The region in Ques-
ton, which is mountainous, with fairly
abundant forests and river beds Dor
dered with dense jungle, is peculiarly
attractive to elephants.
LET me deal with possible objec-
lions. I have heard it urged that the
officers at Alden would make so LITTLE
use of the right that there is no pur-
pose in restricting them. 1 do not
think they would make this claim fol
themselves. On the contrary, I have
reason to expect the heartiest coopera
ton from the authorities at Aden- 1t Is
obvious that sanctuary in which the
favored few are allowed to go on killing
elephants is no sanctuary at all. 1t haS
been said that restriction for this area
would be useless, as the Abyssinians
who have guns, raid it in search o.
ivory; but to this I reply-frst, thai
| such raids should be prevented, and
secondly if the elephants were thus har
raised, they would find a refuge in the
eastern part of the reserve, which the.
frequented less than ten years ago, ane
, which is out of reach of the Ably ssiniaI
, frontier
"a memorandum embodying thes'
considerations has been forwarded tt
the India office. 1t has, believe, beef
favorably entertained by the secretar.
of state, and forwarded to the govern
ment of Bombay, under whose politica
supervision Somaliland lies. My pur
] pose in writing to you is to invite al
l expression of opinion from naturalists
! sportsmen, and, not least, from thos
D interested in the future of Africa Tn
question of once more utilizing tn
African elephant, as was certainly don
) in Ptolemaic times, may be one for sub
sequent consideration The preserva
e ton of the race, from extinction i
I urgent Two or three years hence
: may be too late so far as Somaliland
Z oncerned.'-London Times.
e Lived Like Pauper, Died Rich