Man-Animal Interaction: Conflict & Coexistance

[Spalea]

Perhaps you saw this recent photo from Africa... A model girl coming towards us with wild elephants, among them a big tusker, behind her. Objectionnal behaviour for the last.

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This is not my picture. It was taken by David Yarrow recently in Amboseli, Kenya. It’s been raising a few questions since it was posted two days ago.

Here is a fashion model standing with her BACK to three elephants only fifteen FEET behind her. Yarrow has positioned himself at sufficient distance to gather all subjects in frame. Now if one of the wild elephants decides to object, as they are wont to do with any unexpected activity, she has no chance. Not to mention at least one elephant would likely pay for it with his life too. For Yarrow though, this is appears to be of little concern. To risk losing Craig, one of Africa’s last remaining big tuskers for a photoshoot is surely nothing less than reckless.

And there appears to be little concern of what this picture communicates to its audience too. For years we’ve been telling people not to do these things for the sake of both people and wildlife, then someone with marketed influence comes along with the message that it’s ok. And how are pictures like this going to influence aspiring copycat photographers? It’s already happening and its worrisome.

Conservationists have spent years of hard work educating people on the ethics of animal/human cohabitation and coexistence. Then a cameraman with dollars and marketing clout publicises a picture with the potential to undo much of that hard work.

Sadly, this has not been Yarrow’s only questionable act. In many minds, including my own, no self respecting wildlife photographer boasts his talent while omitting to declare cloning animals into pictures, employs and supports animal game farms, or frightens giraffes to make them run to add drama to the picture.

While he has made some really impressive pictures per se, I do wish he’d realise his work and ethics are having so many negative connotations too. Should animals be exploited at a compromise to their welfare? What do you think?

Update 8:30pm. @davidyarrow and @saving_the_wild have put up a joint statement addressing this picture at @davidyarrow’s Instagram. David has also removed the picture.
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