In Niger, 2 Baby West African Giraffes Poached - Among +/- 200 Individuals Remaining - AFP

Poachers in Niger killed two baby West African Giraffes, the first attack on the endangered species in the country for 20 years, an environment official said on Monday.

"In less than a month, we have recorded two giraffe deaths linked to poaching," Colonel Malam Issa, who heads Niger's environment and wildlife efforts, told AFP.

One of the giraffes had its foot "completely broken" after stepping into a trap, and the other had a foot tendon "systematically cut", Issa said.

"These are the first cases of poaching since we started tracking these giraffes 20 years ago," said Omer Dovi from the Association to Safeguard the Giraffes of Niger (ASGN). Niger's public television on Sunday broadcast pictures of a government mission aimed at raising awareness of the new threat in areas inhabited by the giraffes.

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Niger_poachers_target_rare_West_African_Giraffe_999.html

Where was Cheney last seen again?

:cry:

the worst :cry:

> One of the giraffes had its foot "completely broken" after stepping into
> a trap, and the other had a foot tendon "systematically cut", Issa said.

What is the reason for this?

There was nothing in the article to suggest why the bastards were going
for a baby giraffe so was this effectively "by-catch" when attempting to
get something else or what? ("Bush meat"? Failed attempts to catch healthy
youngsters for export to zoos or wherever? Trying to get rid of a blockage
to development plans?)

None of those reasons would justify the actions but, as reported, it almost
looks like random slaughter.

:argh:

... I know that I'm on a lot of people's shit list these days
but that was an honest question: Can any of you explain what
reason could have been proposed as the reason behind this slaughter?
:cry: