"Hell Is Here" is the title of Biplab Hazra's photograph of a burning elephant calf that got him this year's Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Award from Sanctuaryasia.com, which describes itself as India's leading nature and wildlife conservation portal.
The picture was taken in the Bankura district of West Bengal, a state in eastern India. According to Sanctuary Asia, "This sort of humiliation is routine, as it is in the other elephant-range states of Assam, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu. India is the world’s stronghold for the Asian elephant and boasts over 70 percent of the global population of the species."
With around one elephant per every four square miles in West Bengal, clashes with the human population are a frequent occurrence.
Further, Sanctuary elaborates on the issue: "The ignorance and bloodlust of mobs that attack herds for fun is compounded by the plight of those that actually suffer damage to land, life, and property by wandering elephants and the utter indifference of the central and state government to recognize the crisis that is at hand. For these smart, gentle, social animals who have roamed the sub-continent for centuries, hell is now and here."
Photo by Biplab Hazra
[via Sanctuaryasia]
Humans suck.
The beginning of prejudice.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
So maybe there are times where a sentence like "those who did that should be burned as well" is applicable despite not being quite ethical.
If you get a chance, watch "The Legend of Tarzan" (2016). There's a relevant sub plot.
Horrible.
The poor thing. Absolutely awful.
Powerful image. I find it hard not to feel angry when I see it. Elephants are smart and I wonder if these clashes only add to why elephants are attacking people. They're defending themselves.
The habitat of elephants (and many other animals) is being encroached upon, their regular food/fodder is becoming scarce and it is only natural that they then get into villages in search of food. It is sad to see the increasing conflict between man and beast and the resultant destruction of wildlife.
The photographer should be the one that's burning.
Why?
Presumably for taking a photo but not doing anything to stop it or help the elephants. :-/
Yeah, but so is the life of so many photographers. They can't get involved in any other means than to document happenings.
I'm not defending Ron's statement but, if I were there, taking a photo would have been the last thought on my mind. Trying to help the elephants would have been first. It reminds me of an incident, a few years ago, when someone fell or was pushed (I forget) in front of a subway train and someone took a picture of them trying to get out. I'm not judging anyone else. I just know how I will react to things.
Sure, and that's the natural thing to feel (I hope), but it really depends on what the photographer is used to seeing. Like if he's a random bystander or if he's there for the documentation. On another note, how would one help in this situation? Giant animal on fire wouldn't let anybody come close. I'd guess you'd need a hose with a decent range on the spray. (I do not want to portray as cold, I love animals)
I would douse it with all the cold water you're throwing on my idealism! :-)
Hehe, sounds good. :-)
nobody, nothing should be burning. How can you say such a thing.
Poor baby elephant. Conditions must be despicable inside the responsible human being's head.
We ought to be better than this.
"We"?
Mankind
Isn't lumping everyone in a group, together, prejudice?
This is extremely sad to see
What a lousy and tasteless choice of a winning photo.
We might not have seen this image had it not achieved global acclaim in of all things-a photo contest?
Props to the photographer, the conservation group and Fstoppers for bringing this to our attention