Hi, my name is Bethel and I am 11 years old. I believe that all animals have the right to live, and I think you should too. Many animals have a role in the ecosystem, including elephants. I believe that elephants are one of the most misunderstood animals. Some people poach, and some people treat them unfairly. That is why I am doing this petition.

The elephants are mostly endangered because of there valuable tusks. People use tusks to make pianos, art, jewelry, and other items. When an elephant loses its tusks it automatically dies. It dies from hemorrhage ( bleeding). 

During the dry season, elephants use their tusks to dig for water. This does not only allow the elephants to survive in dry environments and when droughts strike but also provides water for other animals that share harsh habitats.

When elephants eat, they create gaps in the vegetation. These gaps allow new plants to grow and create pathways for other smaller animals to use. Elephants are important in the ecosystem. Some animal species rely entirely upon elephants for seed dispersal, ensuring food for such animals. So if elephants become extinct other animals that rely on vegetation for food will become extinct too.

Elephants  have been called “Keystone Species” and “Super Keystone Species” (a
Keystone Species is an animal that modifies the habitat in which it
lives in, and other animals benefit from the modifications).

I have decided to petition to the Kenyan president so that he can help stop poaching completely. 

My letter to the president of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta:

His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta,

My name is Bethel and I am 11 years old. I am doing a project for school concerning Endangered African Elephants. I am now very passionate about elephants, and I want to help stop poaching completely in Kenya.

I know that you have made poaching illegal in Kenya but it looks like that was not enough. Poaching is one of the biggest reasons elephants are endangered and some people in Kenya are still poaching. I know that you are very busy due to this awful COVID- 19 pandemic that the world is facing right now, but I know you can help stop poaching completely. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the  Kenyan borders are closed. The wildlife conservancies get their income from wildlife tourism and are not government funded.

The conservancy rangers are also afraid of COVID-19 and now some workers whose homes are far away have been leaving to be with their families. Without income from wildlife tourism, it would be impossible to pay for all the salaries. In this period poaching has increased.

According to John Scanlon who is a  special envoy for African Parks, a nonprofit organization that manages 17 national parks and protected areas across 11 African countries, East African countries are not alone in their struggles. The prospect of increased poaching due to the coronavirus is “a matter of great concern”.

In conclusion, Could you consider funding the private wildlife conservancies and allowing tourists into the country to visit the animals?   

Sincerely, 

Bethel