Originally reported on February 5, 2014 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Compiled & edited by Patrice Greanville
WE THANK OUR COMRADES IN SERBIA FOR THIS REPORT. WE FULLY SHARE THEIR RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION.
German ‘so-called conservationist’ Udo Wedekind poses alongside the 3 ton 7 metre elephant which he chased for 30km and which he shot over 20 times before dying. The most poignant aspect of this event is that the poor animal tried to escape this filthy sociopath. What better proof do we need that human supremacism still runs rampant in this world, even victimizing animals that any decent, educated person knows damn well are on the brink of extinction?
At first the facial images of the so called ‘man’ who killed the elephant in Botswana were blanked out. Nobody was supposed to see him. But now we have his full face photo and can present it to the world. These images can now be sent to his colleagues at the ministry which he is supposedly involved with—that of ‘Animal conservation’ !
The plague of legalized hunting, even at a time when humans have succeeded in causing a mass extinction of species, spans the globe. Below you will find links showing current prices for ‘hunting’ and killing animals in Zimbabwe, along with pictures of many animal-killing cowards who have their photos displayed on the website: – the photos are graphic in many cases. African countries, often mired in wars and tribal conflicts, and victims of systemic corruption and poverty, frequently “sell” the right to murder some of their animals in order to gather funds supposedly to help the very species being hunted or for the vague purposes of “development”. Europeans, who already erased most of their wildlife centuries ago, now send well-off degenerates to Africa, Asia,and other parts (including the US) to garner their trophies.
Prices: http://www.cmsafaris.com/mozrates.htm
Images: http://www.cmsafaris.com/zimbabwe-dande-hunt-trophy-gallery/gallery.htm
The elephant killed by this hunter ‘conservationist’ was in Botswana.
What neither of the articles says about this ‘conservationist’ is that the elephant was shot 20 times, tried to flee repeatedly, but was chased for some 30 km before finally, slowly, dying.
This sorry excuse for a human being, who clearly makes a mockery of conservation, and who we are at a loss to understand how a German state ministry entrusts with such sensitive tasks as protecting animals, frequently claimed to be a “passionate hunter”, and has numerous trophies at home. In other words Wedekind’s passion to kill animals for kicks was not exactly a secret. Thus it’s undeniable that those who elevate these criminals against the animal world to positions of power share their blame.
Conservation of species, indeed
In typical fashion for a hunter, Wedekind is quoted as saying that nobody had a right to tell him what to do or not to do, and that “my whole place is full of dead and live animals”. A few years back he shot a male lion, who fled injured, and was only much later found and put out of his misery. The trophy allegedly hangs on the wall of his office.
He’s now been moved, after protests, to the department of agriculture in Thuringia, of which he will be the president. How the hell, we ask, is that a punishment?
Conservation ‘ officer (aka hunter) Wedekind stands behind the elephant he murdered after a ‘tough hunt in hot conditions’. The end result – ‘a real hunting victory’ ! Pictures of Wedekind were blurred in many publications.
Wedekind’s actions provoked something of a stir in the international press. Below, how some of the media covered the story.
NY Daily News link (USA):
German animal conservationist brags about killing elephant
German civil servant Udo Wedekind appeared in photos from an elephant hunt in Botswana, posing over the dead body of a three-ton pachyderm. The photos were allegedly taken at the same time Germany was appearing at conference in the country about elephant shooting. At the time, it was legal for foreigners to hunt the beasts, but a ban has since been imposed.
By David Harding
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
A German official whose job includes environmental protection and care of endangered species is being urged to resign after he boasted about shooting an elephant dead in Botswana.
A three-ton elephant has been gunned down by a German hunter who works as a conservation officer. Udo Wedekind, whose job includes taking care of endangered species, was on a hunting trip to Botswana.
After gunning down the jungle beast, complete with ivory tusks, the German civil servant posed for trophy pictures, reported Thueringer Allgemeine newspaper. He sent these to friends in Germany.
Alongside the images, he wrote:
“The hunt was tough, it was 37 degrees in the shade and was really humid. There was also thick bush, making the going tough,”
“It was really a challenge. I’m so happy that it ended with a real hunting victory.”
Botswana has passed a law banning elephant hunting by wealthy foreigners, who pay up to $50,000 for a license. However, Mr. Wedekind’s trip took place last year, before the ban was in force.
But his trip coincided with a Botswana conference on elephant shooting, which discussed ways of clamping down on the illicit ivory trade. German officials attended the event.
A German government official said “it wasn’t of interest” what civil servants got up to in their spare time as long as it was not illegal !!!
It is not the first time hunting in Botswana has proved controversial.
The ethically clueless Spanish king Juan Carlos with companion in an earlier safari. The monarch, like many royals, is not exactly a bright light, a fact explained by heavy inbreeding in the Bourbon and Hapsburg lineages. In January 2012, Juan Carlos was forced to apologise after taking part in an elephant hunt in Africa. He was also required to resign his honorary role with the WWF following the expensive trip. His trip came as Spain had entered a painful economic downturn, leading to claims he was out of touch with the people.
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The Daily Mail
The Daily Mail, a UK newspaper, covered the incident lavishly, with plenty of images. Below, link and some excerpts.
German conservation official shoots an elephant and poses with its corpse in Botswana
- Udo Wedekind shot dead elephant in Botswana, south Africa, last year
- Posed for photos alongside its corpse, before boasting about its size
- ‘From trunk to tail, it was 7.24m long and weighed three tonnes,’ he said
- Mr Wedekind’s job includes the protection of endangered species
- Commercial hunting was banned in African country last month
By Sophie Jane Evans
PUBLISHED: 2 February 2014
A German conservation official has shot dead an elephant in Botswana – before posing with its corpse.
Udo Wedekind, whose job includes environmental protection and care of endangered species, fired at the animal during a hunting trip in the African country last year.
He then posed for two pictures with its carcass, before boasting about its size and weight.
The senior regional government official – named as Mr Wedekind by Thueringer Allgemeine newspaper – then sent the photos to his friends in Germany.
Alongside the images, he wrote: ‘From trunk to tail the elephant was 7.24metres long. I would estimate he weighed in at about 3 tonnes.
”The hunt was tough, it was 37 degrees celsius in the shade, and was really humid. There was also thick bush, making the going tough.
‘It was really a challenge. I’m so happy that it ended with a real hunting victory.’
Sad: The German official, whose job includes environmental protection and care of endangered species, then boasted about the elephant’s size and weight. Above, Mr Wedekind waves from behind the animal’s carcass
Ban: Last month, Botswana banned elephant hunting by wealthy foreigners – some of whom were willing to pay up to £20,000 for a licence to shoot the animals. However, Mr Wedekind’s hunting trip took place last year – before the ban came into force.
At the time of his trip, a conference about elephant shooting was taking place in the country. The meeting – attended by several German officials – discussed ways in which to protect the species and the banning of the illegal ivory trade.
Today, Thueringen’s regional government environment minister, Juergen Reinholz, said: ‘It is not of interest what civil servants do in their free time as long as they follow the law and don’t break the rules.’
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And finally ….
German article of today. The number of hunters (SAV – or is that ‘conservationists’ ??) in this country is steeply rising: 2013 a plus of 13.5 %. Men AND women.
Text from the article in red says, “Hunters fullfil a statutory duty, to which they are committed. They are the only officially recognized voluntary conservationists” (quote by the DJV – Germany hunting society)
http://www.wn.de/Muensterland/13-5-Prozent-Zuwachs-Zahl-der-Jaeger-steigt
Mo., 03.02.2014
13,5 Prozent Zuwachs: Zahl der Jäger steigt
Berlin/Münsterland – 361.557 Menschen haben 2013 einen Jagdschein gelöst. Das sind knapp 4.500 oder 1,2 Prozent mehr als im Jahr zuvor. Seit der Wiedervereinigung steigt die Zahl der Jäger in Deutschland. Im vergangenen Jahr waren es 13,5 Prozent mehr Waidfrauen und -männer als 1991. Dies geht aus einer Statistik hervor, die der Deutsche Jagdverband (DJV) anlässlich der Messe Jagd und Hund vorstellte.
Eine aktuelle Befragung unter angehenden Jägern zeigt auch: Von der Hausfrau über Schüler und Facharbeiter bis zum Arzt sitzen Vertreter aller Berufsgruppen gemeinsam in den Vorbereitungskursen. Jäger kommen aus der Mitte der Gesellschaft. Der Frauenanteil liegt laut Umfrage bei 20 Prozent – doppelt so viele wie in der Jägerschaft. 120 bis 180 Pflichtstunden zu Themen wie Biologie, Jagdrecht, Wildbrethygiene, Schießwesen oder Natur- und Artenschutz müssen absolviert werden – entweder in Abend- oder Kompaktkursen. Am Ende wird eine staatliche Prüfung abgelegt.
Eine solide Ausbildung der Jäger wird immer wichtiger, betont DJV-Pressesprecher Torsten Reinwald: „Die Jagd steht mehr und mehr im öffentlichen Fokus. Jäger erfüllen einen gesetzlichen Auftrag, dem sie Rechnung tragen müssen. Sie sind die einzigen staatlich geprüften ehrenamtlichen Naturschützer.“
SAV Comment – from the above it is clear that in Germany the term ‘conservationist’ does not really differentiate from that of the term ‘hunter’ – both conservationists and hunters appear to be totally committed to killing animals as part of their ‘statutory duty’. Any excuse for a good killing regardless – either by hunting or conservation; it is a statutory duty. Let’s hope that Udo Wedekind will forever suffer as a result of his so-called ‘conservation’ practices. Elephant Karma – bring it on !!
I love his “punishment”: president of the department of agriculture in Thuringia. Oh, how cruel! How excessive! OMG!