Free A Giant Rescue by Bindi Irwin Page B

years we Bunong have found our way of life increasingly under threat.’ He grew serious. ‘It’s not just the elephants encroaching on our crops either. Once, we were isolated, but it seems more people come here every day. We have already lost some of our land and forest to the government and big companies. They say they need the land for mining, logging, plantationsand road development. What choice do we have?’
    Bindi looked around at the jungle, teeming with life. She hated to think of this unique area being destroyed and of the Bunong people losing their way of life.
    Kate continued. ‘As the elephant’s habitat shrinks, elephants and humans come into conflict as elephants raid crop fields and destroy homes and property.’
    Bindi and Robert exchanged a glance. This didn’t sound good.
    Din added, ‘But human–elephant conflict isn’t the only cause of declining Asian elephant populations. The threat of poaching and trophyhunting is another reason.’
    Robert nodded. ‘I know all about trophy hunting! I don’t understand why people think it’s a good idea to own a stool made from an elephant’s foot.’
    Bindi shook her head in agreement. ‘It’s totally awful!’
    They trekked along in thoughtful silence and eventually, just as the sun was setting, they arrived in a very pretty little village.
    Din was met by an elder who spoke in rapid Bunong. Din translated. ‘An elephant has again raided crops. The villagers are angry and want to hunt the creature tonight before more damage is done.’
    â€˜Please, Din, convince them not to do anything tonight,’ pleaded Kate. ‘Tell them that I can show them how protect their crops without hurting the elephants. I understand how important your rice, coffee, rubber and fruit crops are.’
    Din spoke to the villagers and after a tense few moments he nodded to Kate. ‘They will wait.’
    The weary travellers were shown to tents on Din’s land. ‘Get a good night’s rest,’ advised Kate. ‘You’re going to need it. Tomorrow we have a lot of work to do!’

It was an early start the next morning. Bindi, Robert, Terri and Kate joined Din and his family for breakfast. He lived in a traditional dome-shaped house made of bamboo, with a roof of grass. They started the day with a delicious selection of wild fruits,local honey and rice. There was no time to linger in the already humid morning as Kate was anxious to meet the farmers and begin work.
    They made their way by foot through the village, passing many other similar traditional Bunong houses but also some more modern dwellings. They wound their way down more dirt roads out into the fields by a small banana plantation, where a group of farmers had gathered to hear what Kate had to say. With Din acting as interpreter, Kate explained that it was possible to stop the hungry elephants through changing the way they farmed.
    â€˜To begin with, we need to look at protecting your land and we can do this by building wooden watchtowers, erecting trip-wires and using deterrents such as scarecrows and noise systems. Elephants don’t like noise and they would also prefer to avoid humans if they can. We can string up a collection of pots and pans or anything that would make a loud noise if an elephant knocked into it by mistake.’
    The villagers seemed encouraged by what Kate had to say, but they also had concerns. Din explained, ‘This will all cost money, and the farmers want to know who will pay.’
    Terri nodded. ‘Of course. We should have made that clear from the beginning. The Asian Elephant Conservation Foundation will be funding this.’
    After Din explained that the farmers wouldn’t have to pay, several locals were eager to begin building a watchtower right away.
    Kate began delegating. ‘Terri, can I leave you in charge of the building party? The rest of us are going to spend some