Collapsed from exhaustion, its leg in a snare, this Sumatran elephant was pushed with an excavator by a conservation group in a final attempt to help it to stand. For several days, the animal had been lying in a forest corridor that linked two oil palm plantations. Shortly after this photograph was taken, the elephant died from blood poisoning.
Sumatra’s Leuser Ecosystem is the only place on Earth where Sumatran elephants, tigers, orang-utans and rhinos coexist. All are close to extinction. Clearance of lowland forests for oil palm plantations has forced elephants closer to human settlements, leading to conflicts. Although illegal, snares are widespread.
UK/Australia
Paul is a photojournalist and wildlife trade consultant who focuses on global environmental and conservation issues. He endeavours to bring about urgent change in how we treat our surroundings. Widely published in leading international media, he is a Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers and has received many awards for his conservation photography.
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