This post (as well as other different updates) is at Facebook if you wish to comment. I also posted at Facebook today re our efforts to develop an early warning system to help mitigate conflict with elephants in our area. A lot of destruction and sadly human fatalities have resulted, we have a lot to do. I thank those who take interest in our work. Our integrated website wildtiger.org - wildleopard.net is currently being updated. Today's main post is below these images.
This is just a quick post because time is at a premium right now but it was great to have over 40 children at the first "Living with Leopards" class yesterday. I'll explain more about this soon but essentially it's about learning about wildlife and coexistence as well as other components such as improving english language skills. The football team "The Leopards" made up the bulk of the first class but we will get as many kids from the community involved as possible.
School attendance is something we will really push as well, this is a problem in the area. It is linked to the lack of development, with basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity etc way behind the eight ball. Not having good internet and telecommunications makes it very difficult to implement early warning systems when dangerous bull elephants approach. Some families do not even have a phone.
Poverty is real and while we can do our best to educate and encourage young minds, coexistence with robust and often dangerous wildlife is seriously challenging. I am even feeling the pressure myself now with this elephant situation and more recent deaths, children taken by leopards, a real South Asian problem, make me ask myself daily, why are we not getting more help?
My thanks to the team and the kids yesterday, bless you all, we'll have another class on Saturday.
