One of Amboseli's up-and-coming prime bulls was killed by poachers the day before yesterday. Winston had just turned 30 in January of this year and was regularly coming into musth. It should have been just the beginning of a successful breeding life but he was cut down for his ivory tusks.

I felt particularly close to Winston because he was one of 14 calves I chose for a special study in 1980. I carried out research on mother-calf bonds and calf development on these calves and so I spent hours with them in the first year of their lives.

mirror.co.uk
ELEPHANTS

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There should be a ban on importing elephants into UK zoos, demands the RSPCA.

The call comes as a report, commissioned by Defra, raises serious concerns about their welfare.

RSPCA scientist Dr Ros Clubb said: "Elephants are without question suffering in zoos. Adding yet more to an ailing population simply masks the problems." …

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The following is the second half of a TV review that appeared in the Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/last-nights-t....

There was a two-part review in the Guardian that included another program: http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2010/aug/06/mistresses-natural-wo....

Below is the part relating to "Echo an Unforgettable Elephant":

A comprehensive story on the life and death of the 'Majestic Echo'. Go to: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/3082419/Life-and-death-of-...

"Echo An Unforgettable Elephant"

For UK friends and supporters you have a special treat. The final film about Echo, which includes a retrospective of her life and the consequences to her family after her death, will be shown on BBC2 on August 5. In the days previous to this premiere BBC will be showing all the other Echo films. To read more about the schedule and see a preview and interviews go to:
http://www.mikebirkhead.com/Programmes/EchoUnforgettable.html.

US viewers will be able to see the new film on PBS channels on October 17. I will post more information closer to the time.

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Kenya has become a safe route for cartels involved in illegal ivory trade.

The Amboseli Trust for Elephants (ATE) started an initiative of supporting young Maasai girls in high school and also paying University scholarship for girls and boys.

Jacob Kipaa, a local Massai recently returned home from completing his Masters Degree in China for two years. He is one of the lucky students who are sponsored by the Amboseli Trust for Elephants. The project sponsored him through his Undergraduate Degree at Nairobi University here in Kenya before travelling to China.