Winner
Brent Stirton
Getty Images
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"GOD'S IVORY"
AMBOSELI, KENYA, 29 MAY 2011: The remains of a bull elephant just after being detusked by an undercover Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) Ranger working with local villagers. The elephant was attacked by poachers in the night and hit by a single spear stroke. The elephant ran but the spear penetrated deeply enough to cause massive internal bleeding and eventual death. This under-cover ranger reached the animal at first light and to deter the poachers, the animal was de-tusked and the ivory sent to the KWS HQ in Amboseli National Park. KWS has the mandate to protect wildlife in Kenya but lack the manpower and resources. More than 25 000 elephants died for their ivory globally in 2011, with increasing numbers estimated for 2012.
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