I introduce you to Mutware, 'the chief', whom I met the other weekend in Ndego. Like the people I photographed, I also fed and pet Mutware, who is used to humans. However, I felt guilty for giving in to my desire to seize the once-in-a-lifetime chance to pet a wild elephant. The elephant does not stay within the national park borders and destroys people's crops i.e. their food security. Villagers have tried to kill him on several occassions. Approaching Mutware and especially feeding him manioc flour like I did contributes to this ongoing conflict.
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The moral dilemna posed by Mutware reminds me of the donkeys of Santorini. Though they could not be credited with destroying the livelihoods of those people neighbouring the caldera, I still felt sorry for how these animals were being commodified for the pleasure of tourists.
Hi Sara,
I am in awe of your commitment to the people and animals in Rwanda. What a fabulous opportunity for learning. You are an amazing person and I bet you are changing a little every day! I have enjoyed reading your blogs, although have not yet gotten to all of them.
Re: the elephant. Here's a story somewhat connected......I remember being in Mexico climbing all over the Aztec ruins, unable to stay off them, searching their nooks and crannies and looking over the top. Of course, I, along with all the other tourists, were contributing to their erosion. We knew better, but there were no signs to say 'stay off' so we didn't.
See you sometime,
Angela, Summerland
my sister is awesome...
I've met Mutware too, (though in slightly scarier circumstances). One thing to say is that he was a captive elephant from a young age (I think he's now about 40), and some of his problems now are presumably from this earlier socialisation with humans (the other elephants of Akagera, I understand, reject him). So though I think the people who live in the area need some kind of solution to his murderous temper breakdowns, I'd not feel bad about petting him - at least in his good moods, this indivdual elephant is happier for human contact.
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