MediaStorm: Ivory Wars by J. Michael Fay & Michael Nichols

Transcript

Zakouma National Park in Chad is home to one of the world's largest remaining concentrations of elephants.

Zakouma's armed guards have ensured sanctuary for the hundreds of species that reside within the park. At great personal risk, the guards fight a dangerous war against poachers who hunt the animals for their value on the black market or as cultural talismans.

But as perennial rains arrive to replenish the desert landscape, some 3,500 elephants search for better forage outside the park's perimeter, where poachers await them.

Conservationist J. Michael Fay and National Geographic photographer Michael Nichols traveled to Zakouma during the wet season in 2006 to discover the danger just beyond the park borders that threatens the refuge's very existence.

Explore the wilderness of Zakouma National Park with the Zakouma - Ivory Wars Maps for Google Earth. Use the map to zoom in on the park's human and animal inhabitants, follow GPS tracking points of Annie's trek through the region, pinpoint camera-trap locations, and more. (Requires Google Earth)




Permalink: http://mediastorm.org/0016.htm	Additional promotional images



Zakouma is one of the last places on earth where thousands of elephants roam together. But as perennial rains arrive to replenish the desert landscape, some 3,500 elephants seek better forage outside the park perimeter, where poachers await them.






Note: Not all comments will be posted due to space and time constraints.




Bruno Mattos -- Porto Alegre, Brazil	Feb 1, 2007 at 7:52 PM

It's hard to believe that some people still buy ivory jewels and stuff like that, even knowing what's happening on places like Chade. Still, there's a big hope when we realize the way some people, like the men who work on this National Park, spend their lives providing the elephants and nature a better chance. Congratulations, you made a good job with this video.


Joy Chadwick -- Palm Bay, FL USA	Oct 11, 2007 at 7:52 PM

Beautiful images, moving story. what can I do to help?

Zakouma National Park
National Geographic Magazine
Original Publication on NationalGeographic.com
J. Michael Fay Megatransect
Michael "Nick" Nichols
IFAW Zakouma Campaign
Wildlife Conservation Society in Zakouma
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for African Elephants

Video: J. Michael Fay, Conservationist, Wildlife Conservation Society; Explorer-in-Residence, National Geographic Society

Photography: Michael "Nick" Nichols, National Geographic Photographer

Picture Editing: Kathy Moran, NGM Photo Editor

General Management: Lisa Hungness

Production Coordination/Interview: Amanda MacEvitt, Director of Content Development, NGM New Media

J. Michael Fay interview: Keene Haywood, Producer, NGM New Media

Video Editing: Angela Sanders, Project Coordinator, Research Conservation and Exploration Group

Image Coordination: Jenna Pirog, Photo Coordinator

Map Art: Oliver Uberti, Marguerite B. Hunsiker, James E. McClelland, Jr., and Mariel Furlong, NGM Maps

Special Thanks: Luis Arranz, Zakouma project administrator for the European Union and Nathan Williamson, photography assistant to Michael Nichols

Producer: Pamela Chen

Graphics Package: Tim Klimowicz

Executive Producer: Brian Storm