Hong Kong pupils learn about gory realities of African ivory trade
Conservationist shows images of mutilated elephant ahead of Kenya trip
Gasps break out in an auditorium full of primary and secondary school pupils as a gory image of a dead, mutilated African elephant pops up on the projector screen.
"Kumquat was killed in 2012," says prominent Kenyan wildlife conservationist and former park ranger Paula Kahumbu.
"I know it's a really ugly sight, these pictures, but imagine what happens to [Kumquat's] family. They cry; they grieve."
Kahumbu, speaking at the Chinese International School in Braemar Hill, was referring to the death of one of Kenya's best-known African matriarchs, slaughtered by poachers at the age of 44 for her impressive tusks.
"Many people in Africa often don't know why elephant ivory goes to Asia. Many people in Asia don't know where ivory [on the market] comes from."
Kahumbu was seeking to raise awareness about the issue ahead of a school trip to Kenya this summer. Twelve pupils from the school, aged 15 to 18, will travel to the African country to learn more about elephants and illegal poaching.