How Many Avocados Does It Take to Kill an Elephant?
What do elephants and avocados have in common? They both need land to survive. The major difference? Avocados can grow in locations outside of Amboseli in Kenya, two thousand of the world’s genetically unique elephants cannot.
Dr. Paula Kahumbu, Kenyan Conservationist and CEO of Wildlife Direct, is fighting for the preservation of the elephants and their habitat. Amboseli is a magnet for Kenya’s wildlife tourism. In 2019 192,000 people visited the national park generating millions of dollars for local people. The backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro and the world-famous Super Tuskers are big draws for visitors.
Significant threats pressure this pocket of remaining wilderness in East Africa — population growth, agriculture and climate change. The conservation solution so far has been two-fold: (1) create the Kimana Wildlife Corridor where elephants move between the protected parks of Amboseli, Tsavo and Chyulu Hills and (2) convince local Maasai that ecotourism is a more sustainable solution than selling their land or leasing it to large Agri corporations. Elephants are smart enough to follow the corridor, remapping routes in their memories that they have travelled for 1,000s of years. However, the situation is precarious. Any more infringement on their territory puts their survival and the rest of the ecosystem at risk. According the articles in the New Yorker and Al Jeseera the local Maasai were not consulted about this avocado farm.
In 2019 Kenya signed a license agreement with KiliAvo Fresh Ltd. to develop an avocado farm in the Kimana Wildlife Corridor. Why avocados? So people in distant lands can start their day with avocado on toast. Avocados, touted as a super food high in protein and good fats are popular in Europe and North America. The Chinese are also getting on the avocado band wagon. We live in a global grocery market these days. Canada grows some of the best apples in the world, yet here in Ontario I can buy cheap Granny Smith apples from South Africa. We need to stop giving airline tickets to fruits and vegetables we grow ourselves. Where agriculture encroaches on wildlife habitat there will be human wildlife conflict. For a deeper dive into the situation with the avocado farm development, see this in-depth report from K24 Voice of Nature and Dan Kaburu.
Climate change is teaching us the balance of nature is complex and fragile. We must learn from our mistakes. Indigenous wisdom considers the impact of a community’s decision until the 7th generation. Elephants have walked on the earth longer than humans. In our reckless greed, lack of foresight and rapid environmental destruction elephants may become extinct in this century.
What can you do? Last week was World Wildlife Day. We all have a responsibility to be good stewards of this small blue planet. Speak up for flora and fauna that have no voice. Contact governments and demand policies that protect natural habitats.
Here’s what you can do to help the elephants of Amboseli:
1. Help Dr. Kahumbu’s crusade by tweeting .@tunajibu I love Kenya & elephants. Your ministry is responsible for the Management of Wildlife Dispersal Area. Pls urgently stop avocado farming in the Amboseli elephant dispersal area. #savetheelephants
2. When you travel choose places and operators that give back to the community and are environmentally responsible.
3. Be a conscious shopper. Buy local when you can. Educate yourself about the impact of your choices.
4. Donate to organizations that work in tandem with local people to protect wildlife and wild spaces like The Big Life Foundation and Wildlife Direct who are fighting to protect Amboseli, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
5. A purchase of a fine art print in my online store generates a $50 donation to protecting the Amboseli elephants.
Even if you never have the privilege of seeing an elephant in the wild you can make a difference in their lives now. Let’s ensure our grandchildren and their grandchildren get the benefit of wildlife and wilderness. When we protect wildlife, we protect our future.
This story was edited for a news piece and published in Africa Geographic on May 14th, 2021. Enjoy more Heartfelt Stories on my weekly blog.
