14 DAY TRIAL // Not long ago, we reported on about 30 elephants being massacred in Chad by people engaged in illegal ivory trade operations.
We then said that one of the herd's youngsters, a baby elephant now called Toto, was the only one who managed to survive, most likely because its tusks had not yet developed.
It now seems that the country's president decided to take matters into his own hands, meaning that troops were sent to catch the culprits.
The end goal is that of keeping a close eye on the Mayo Lemie – Chari Baguiri area, where the poachers are presumed to be in hiding.
As well as this, the country's borders are being carefully monitored, to make sure that the ivory taken from the massacred elephants does not get smuggled to other parts of the world.
SOS Elephant, the green-oriented organization which first leaked information concerning the killing of these animals, is also involved in these efforts to catch the poachers, and conservationist Stephanie Vergniault argues that, “I really believe he [the president] will catch some poachers soon.”
As Mongabay reports, locals have also been asked to collaborate in this anti-poaching campaign by disclosing any news they might have with respect to the culprits' whereabouts and getaway paths.
The same source informs us that, up to the present moment, as much as 200 soldiers were sent to patrol the region, and 2 helicopters and 15 pickup trucks were put at their disposal to make sure they have an advantage over the poachers.
Apparently, these measures were necessary because the people involved in illegal ivory trading are quite familiar with these regions of the country and can easily hide in the bushes without anyone knowing where exactly to look for them.
Moreover, they can remain in hiding for considerable amounts of time, as accomplices provide them with whatever supplies they need.
From where we stand, it is a good thing that Chad's high officials decided to get involved in dealing with this pressing issue, especially since elephants are an endangered species and all efforts must go into keeping them from becoming extinct.