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livius drusus
09-07-2004, 05:48 PM
The Indian state of Assam has a serious problem (http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=13558085) with their elephants.

Man-animal conflict has now reached dangerous dimensions in the state in which elephants are being increasingly killed by people. The situation in Assam, according to wildlife and forest officials, is such that even the tamed elephants stray into human settlements in search of food and create terror. This is attributed to the fact that at least 2,500 elephants used in the trade of timber transportation, have gone jobless following a ban on timber felling by the country's highest court since 1996.

Less works makes the elephants more virile as they are not in a position to burn their energy. This phenomenon called 'Masth' is dangerous as the animal might go berserk killing people or rampaging human settlements.

I'm sure the ban on logging was an environmentally conscious choice, but it looks like they didn't think it through all the way. Still, that's just the tip of a massive habitat destruction iceberg India has been colliding into for a long time.

Goliath
09-07-2004, 09:58 PM
Less works makes the elephants more virile as they are not in a position to burn their energy.

Strange...I find that when I'm more virile, I somehow have less energy...

:D

livius drusus
09-07-2004, 10:08 PM
Are you saying that's the only difference between you and a horny elephant? ;)

Goliath
09-07-2004, 10:11 PM
Are you saying that's the only difference between you and a horny elephant? ;)

I would certainly hope not!

Then again....it would explain why there's usually a disgruntled circus worker following me around with a soiled shovel.

:P

JoeP
09-07-2004, 10:28 PM
Why does an elephant have four feet?

livius drusus
09-07-2004, 10:29 PM
Erm... To get to the other side?

Goliath
09-07-2004, 10:33 PM
Why does an elephant have four feet?

Why did the elephant cross the street on the Klein bottle?

To get to the same side!

:D

JoeP
09-07-2004, 11:07 PM
Erm... To get to the other side?Good answer :yup:

Why does an elephant have four feet?

Why did the elephant cross the street on the Klein bottle?

To get to the same side!

:D
The answer I had in mind, on topic with the OP, was "because he'd look silly with six inches". :doh:

Since you've introduced a mathematical theme, I'm tempted to ask these, which are totally off-topic (no wait, India has produced some fine mathematicians). And give me a chance to use the spoiler tag.

What does a constipated mathematician do?
Works it out with pencil and paper.

What does a really constipated mathematician do?
Uses logs.

Of course, there's the one about how does a mathematician hunt elephants, but that's easily found on the net and also would veer dangerously on-topic.