Conservation should indeed be a global priority. But understanding of the complexity and colonial roots of this problem and the shocking double standards that exist, is vital

NEXT BLOG ❯
By Tarsh Thekaekara
Last Updated: Wednesday 22 July 2020
Understanding the complexity and shocking double standards applied in global conservation is vital. Photo: Wikimedia Commons Understanding the complexity and shocking double standards applied in global conservation is vital. Photo: Wikimedia Commons Understanding the complexity and shocking double standards applied in global conservation is vital. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

It’s almost surprising when anything other than novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) makes international headlines, but the gruesome deaths of 350 odd elephants in Botswana broke through. I’m an elephant researcher based in the Nilgiri Hills of South India. So within hours, I was deluged by queries from shocked elephant enthusiasts.

The images were distressing. They didn’t look like rotting carcasses — they seemed…