The device had likely been swallowed inadvertently, hidden in bait left by poachers. The elephant’s body had reacted violently, causing severe swelling and infection. Paul realized the incredible danger the animal had been in—and how lucky she was to have found him.
The vet’s assistants had managed to remove the tracker, but the damage it caused was severe. The infection had nearly claimed the elephant’s life. Paul couldn’t help but think of the cruelty behind such a scheme, his anger simmering as he processed the information.
Paul learned that the poachers had been using advanced technology to monitor the elephant’s movements, likely intending to ambush her and her herd. Their greed knew no bounds, and their actions were putting the entire ecosystem at risk for profit.
Paul was no stranger to the dark side of human activity in the rainforest. He had encountered signs of poaching before—discarded traps, abandoned camps—but this was something far more calculated. The use of such advanced equipment was both chilling and infuriating.