Landmines Kill Animals

by Kevin Stewart

In 1994, Mkono, a silverback gorilla, was killed after stepping on a mine 
in Rwanda (AP).

In Sri Lanka, up to 20 Asian Elephants are killed by mines every year, 
according to zoologist Charles Santiapillai of the University of Peradeniya 
(Spinney).

Between 1940 and 1980, the Libya Ministry of the Interior estimates that 
3100 head of livestock were lost to landmines every year. (Sgaier)

The majority of the animal victims of landmines and other unexploded 
ordinances are livestock. A study of the social and economic costs of mines 
in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Cambodia, and Mozambique found that 54 554 animals 
were lost (Andersson et al.). A survey conducted by the Vietnam Veterans 
of America Foundation (VVAF) in Afghanistan found the lost of 75 563 animals 
(Roberts and Williams, p. 49).

The loss of livestock contributes to hunger and poverty. The VVAF study 
found that  according to Muslim tradition an animal killed by a mine is "unfit 
for human consumption" (Roberts and Williams, p. 49). Even if the animal is 
slaughtered properly, the meat is shared with family and neighbors and it's
economic values is lost. The economic impact can be serious. Nomadic 
households in Afghanistan  lost an average of 24.4 animals at a local market 
value of $2933 (Andersson et al.).

The impact of mines on wildlife is far less understood. Mines have killed over
100 elephants in Mozambique, a brown bear in Bosnia, and are rumored to have killed 
a snow leopard in Afghanistan. The WWF International states that landmines 
are a factor in the population decline of apes in Central Africa (Anon).
However, the extent of the threat mines pose to wildlife will remain unknown 
until more data is gathered. 

Landmines also affect wildlife indirectly. Habitat is lost when farmers move 
from mine infested land into marginal areas used by wildlife. Hunting may
also increase to feed hungry families. Another problem is that poaching is 
used to finance arms purchases. The Khmer Rouge used tiger skins and bones 
to purchase antitank mines and guns (Rufford).

Landmines are killing a large number of animals and will continue the  
slaughter until the last mine is removed. The Landmine Ban Treaty is a good 
start, but it is only the begining of the solution.
References:

Andersson, Neil, Cesar Palha da Sousa, and Sergio Paredes. "Social cost of 
land mines in four countries: Afghanistan, Bosnia, Cambodia, and Mozambique" 
BMJ 311 (1995):718-721

Anon. "Gorilla Warfare" Scientific American, June 1997: p. 24

AP. "Rwandan war claims rare mountain gorilla" Calgary Herald Dec. 14, 1994:
p. A14

Roberts, Shawn, and Jody Williams. After the Guns Fall Silent: The Enduring 
Legacy of Landmines. Washington, D.C.: Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, 
1995 

Rufford, Nick. "Khmers kill rare animals for cash" The Sunday Times (London) 
Oct. 22, 1995: p. 22

Sgaier, Khairi. 1985 "Explosive remants of World War II in Libya: impact on
agricultural development" In Explosive Remants of War: Mitigating the 
Environmental Effects (ed) Westing, A.H., SIPRI & UNEP / Taylor & Francis, 
London

Spinney, Laura. "Land mines claim elephants in Sri Lanka's civil war" New 
Scientist Nov. 19, 1994: p. 12

For futher information on the impact of landmines and other unexploded 
ordinances on animals and the environment, visit the authors website at:

http://www.freenet.edmonton.ab.ca/~puppydog/landmine.htm

If you know of any reports of animal victims of landmines please E-mail 
me at puppydog@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca