Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-30
WILL THE ELEPHANT NE sAvEDt
Not the Party symbol, but the Real
African Nnrictv.

NhANHAhb ANA'A tN'NNH
The African elephant, according TO II. A.
Bryden's survey OF his condition in the
current Fortnightly Review. has almost
gone the way Of the American bison. There
are two or three herds in Cape Colony,
where they have been protected since 1880.
There was. a year or two ago. one troop
In North Bechuanaland one or two small
troops may he found in northern Mashona-
land. A few maintain a precarious exist
ence between the Zambesi mouth and the
Pungwe river.
Except for these poor remnants, the Wild
elephant has practically ceased to exist
south OF the Zambesi and the Cunene
rivers. Even beyond those streams he has
been and is vigorously pursued II is
doubtful, however. II he exists IN great
numbers in the dense forests OF central
Africa. While more or less known all over
the continent, the region in which the
elephant iourished best appears to be that
whose map has recently been painted all
British red.
The exterminating pursuit Of the African
elephant began $50 years ago. Tho great
pachyderms were then abundant about Table
bay. They have not been easily vanduished.
"Culled from a hundred books Of sport and
travel. the tale OF the extinction OF the
elephant would" as MIR. Dryden says, "even
with the most severe editing. MI two or
three volumes Of the most stirring epics OF
adventure" Even as early as 1772-75 Thun-
berg and Sparrman, the Swedish travellers
and scientists. found among the Beers ele-
plant hunters whose feats rivaled and sur
passed. considering the arm they had.
those OF Gordon, Cumming and Oswell and
selous. The elephant has died game. Many
a grave upon the veldt testifes to the fierce
ness with which he has turned rpon the
eager sportsman and the pitiless ivory
hunter.
His tusks have been the elephants de-
struction. From the time white men came
to South Africa ivory has been demanded
increasingly. That demand still exists, and
is never likely to fail. For certain uses
and pleasures OF man there is really no
satisfactory substitute. The elephant Is
not like the bison-able to furnish nothing
but food and leather, neither superior to
the flesh and hide Of the familiar OK. He
has something that no other animal can
supply of equal quality.
Furthermore, he is a useful beast OF bur
den. For many centuries he has ST. we'd
man In India. While his working power.
weight for weight, is not equal to that OF
the horse, he can do some 'hings that the
horse cannot do so well. He can be set at
work and TO a certain extent left to do It
by himself, as the horse cannot While It
is often said that the African elephant is
untamable, It cannot be affirmed that any
such patient effort has been made with him
as the ancient Hindoos must have expended
in demonstrating their elephant.
The ostrich has been reduced to practical
domestication. Woman will never lack the
ornament OF his plumes. Because Of the
usefulness of ivory and Of its producer, it
would seem that the preservation and do
mestication OF the African elephant might
well be a commercial enterprise, whose
profits would be slow but absolutely GER
tain. Mr.. Dryden expresses the opinion
that 'if. fifty years ago. Great Britain had
suddenly extended its sway TO the Fam
best, the elephant might have been saved"