In days, Tanzania’s President could condemn Africa’s most magnificent elephants to death – by issuing new licences allowing rich trophy hunters to kill them for sport. Scientists, conservationists and Indigenous people are raising the alarm, and time is ticking. Let’s stand with them and make the call to save these "super tuskers" too big to ignore: In days, Tanzania’s President could condemn Africa’s most magnificent elephants to death – by issuing new licences allowing rich trophy hunters to kill them for sport.These male elephants are called "super tuskers" for their enormous tusks. They’re members of a population that’s been studied for over 50 years, and who were recently found to have names for one another, the first non-human animals known to do so without imitation!Crossing freely between Kenya (which bans trophy hunting) and Tanzania, the Amboseli elephants were protected from trophy hunting, until Tanzania allowed the shooting of five mature males last hunting season - at least two of them were extremely rare super tuskers.Scientists, conservationists, and Indigenous people have called on Tanzania’s President to stop the killing and protect these elephants before it’s too late. This month, the Tanzanian government will decide whether to issue more hunting permits for the coming season. Time is ticking – let’s add our names to show that citizens around the world stand with them:

In days, Tanzania’s President could condemn Africa’s most magnificent elephants to death – by issuing new licences allowing rich trophy hunters to kill them for sport. Scientists, conservationists and Indigenous people are raising the alarm, and time is ticking. Let’s stand with them and make the call to save these "super tuskers" too big to ignore:

SIGN NOW

Dear friends,

In days, Tanzania’s President could condemn Africa’s most magnificent elephants to death – by issuing new licences allowing rich trophy hunters to kill them for sport.

These male elephants are called "super tuskers" for their enormous tusks. They’re members of a population that’s been studied for over 50 years, and who were recently found to have names for one another, the first non-human animals known to do so without imitation!

Crossing freely between Kenya (which bans trophy hunting) and Tanzania, the Amboseli elephants were protected from trophy hunting, until Tanzania allowed the shooting of five mature males last hunting season - at least two of them were extremely rare super tuskers.

Scientists, conservationists, and Indigenous people have called on Tanzania’s President to stop the killing and protect these elephants before it’s too late. This month, the Tanzanian government will decide whether to issue more hunting permits for the coming season. Time is ticking – let’s add our names to show that citizens around the world stand with them:

STOP THE HUNTING - SAVE THE SUPER TUSKERS

There is a reason this cross-border population of elephants has been protected for so long. They are part of the longest continuously-run study of elephants in the world – contributing significantly to our understanding of these majestic animals.

These elephants are central to the complex social structures of bull groups, often serving as leaders and mentors, and preferred mates of the females. They are part of the last gene pools of elephants carrying exceptionally large tusks, and experts believe their loss would be unsustainable.

Conservationists are shouting their warning call from the rooftops. They have asked our community to stand with them and send a global message to Tanzania’s President that the world won’t stand by as elephants are sold off to the highest bidder. Add your voice now, and Avaaz will deliver the call with partners on the ground so it cannot be ignored:

STOP THE HUNTING - SAVE THE SUPER TUSKERS

Avaaz has long stood up for a vision of the world where we can harmoniously live with nature - whether that’s by standing against the brutal ivory trade or winning protection for elephants at the UN Endangered Species session. Now, we’re needed again.

With hope,

Antonia, Miguel, Abdelrahman, Gordon, Pascal, Sarah and the whole Avaaz team

PS: This petition was originally started by a coalition of experts on our community petitions site here.

PPS: Our heartfelt thanks to Clint Ralph for allowing us to use his stunning picture of Craig, the super tusker!

More information:

Trophy hunter killings spark fierce battle over the future of super tusker elephants (The Guardian)
Do elephants really call to each other by name? Al Jazeera)
Stop elephant hunting in Tanzania borderlands (Science)

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