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Standing at an average height of 11 ft. and weighing 6 tons, the African elephant is the largest mammal walking the Earth. As they migrate through the African continent, their presence profoundly shapes the ecosystem.1 The animal is vital to the survival of several species varying from trees that rely on elephants to disperse their seeds to the smaller ground animals who drink from the water that accumulates in their giant indented footprints. The African elephant is indisputably beautiful, intelligent and social; but it is in grave danger. Approximately 400,000 individual African elephants are left in the wild, and their existence is constantly and heavily threatened by human activity.2

A herd of Elephants in Tsavo West National Park, Kenya | Courtesy of Martin Roemers

In 2004, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared the African Elephant to be vulnerable – meaning that they are at a high risk of becoming extinct or endangered in the near future. According to the IUCN, a species is considered endangered if there is a : “50–70% population decrease over 10 years, a total geographic area less than 5,000 km2 (or local population area less than 500 km2), a population size less than 2,500 adults, a restricted population of 250 adults, or a statistical prediction that it will go extinct within the next 20 years.”3

The elephant is hunted at the rate that it is because of its ivory tusks. The most distinguishable features of an elephant are its elongated incisors which are made of ivory: a hard, white and extremely valuable and durable material. This “white gold” is currently worth a total of $1,500 per pound and is sold primarily as fashion and ornamental items carved into jewelry, art pieces or kept as a trophy and a sign of wealth.4 To collect this ivory, poachers kill elephants and mutilate the animal’s head to extract the tusks from their root in the cranial cavity.5

The remains of more than 300 elephants killed by poachers in Cameroon | Courtesy of Brent Stirton of National Geographic

This ivory trade was banned in 1989 under Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which mentions that the Elephas Maximus and “all parts and derivatives of the species” are to be protected.6 Despite the convention, the ivory trade is very much alive and is decimating the species. Five African countries continue to provide ivory Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi and Burundi because herds reside within the states’ boundaries or because they possess stocks of ivory ready to sell to the highest bidder.7

Poachers, who are for the most part locals, rely on the money made from selling tusks to sustain their family. As was the case with John Kaimio a 33-year-old Kenyan man who admitted to killing 70 elephants and was sentenced to prison. Kaimio explained that before entering this business his family would rely on livestock, but the arid climate killed the animals and any resources needed to survive. In his own words Kaimio explained that he went into the business of poaching to meet the needs of his family, “to buy food and pay for my child to go to boarding school. This amount could change things.”8

Despite the widespread structural poverty in these countries, poaching remains a cruel business and organizations around the world fight to put an end to this illicit trade. One of these organizations is The Elephant Information System (ETIS) which tracks down parties of the illegal ivory trade. It has classified countries like China, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda, and Vietnam as being of primary concern because of the vast amounts of ivory that have been seized or because they serve major transit points for ivory.9 China remains the world’s largest consumer of legal and illegal ivory that is used for medicine, ornaments, and all kinds of carvings. It is estimated that 50% to 70% of poached ivory ends up in China despite there being a ban in place since 1990.10

A pile of ivory collected and destroyed in China in 2014, weighing over 6 tonnes | Courtesy of CNN News

In 2017, China announced they would begin a new and heavily enforced total ban on domestic ivory with the purpose to “improve elephant conservation and combat illegal ivory trade…”11 Since December 30, 2017, China banned not only the processing  of ivory, but also the sale of it. Additionally, ivory carvers and anyone who relied on the ivory business to survive, have been encouraged to work in museums or abandon their skills altogether.

Other countries involved in the ivory trade include Belgium, Austria, the Czech Republic and the United States, which is the second largest ivory consumer in the world.12 In 2017, President Trump lifted the ban on importing elephant heads from Zimbabwe and Zambia into the United States. The justification for lifting the ban is that managing the population of elephants in these African countries will benefit the survival of other species in the wild.13 As explained by the CEO of the Humane Society, Wayne Pallace, lifting this ban delivers a message to the rest of the world that by allowing rich Americans to collect trophies, the United States is dismissing the international community’s efforts to ensure the survival of the elephant risking their becoming endangered.14

A wildlife ranger stands guard as the Kenyan government burns their ivory stockpile. | Picture by Ben Curtis.

Other countries, however, are doing all that they can to protect the species. In 2016, the Kenyan government set on fire 105 tons of ivory- the remains of 6,500 poached elephants, to convey to the world that they are fervently opposed to the ivory trade. In the words of President Kenyatta, “For us, ivory is worthless unless it is in our elephants.”15 In the past 27 years countries like the United States, China, the Philippines and many others have burned their ivory stockpiles, but none has ever been as huge or as significant. This action of solidarity with the elephant in Kenya is classified as the largest burning of ivory in world history and is important to mention because Kenya is an underdeveloped country that struggles with poverty and droughts. President Kenyatta explained that the worth of their stockpile – which is roughly $150 million dollars – could aid the development of the country significantly, but prefers to burn the tusks due to the immorality of poaching.16

Demonstrators in Johannesburg, South Africa against the ivory trade. | Courtesy of the Guardian.

Governments, however, are not the only entities capable and willing to help the African elephant. More than 50 international organizations dedicate their efforts to ensure the survival of the African Elephant. Some of which include: the Nature Conservancy, Save the Elephants, Global Sanctuary for Elephants, Friends of the Elephant and many others. Much can be done to help at the individual level as well by joining protests for the banishment of the ivory trade. An example of this occurred in 2014, where thousands marched in 136 cities ranging from Washington, D.C. to Paris, to Nairobi, Kenya to pressure government officials in these countries to ban poaching and to toughen the laws that allow for it to take place.17 The cruel and unnecessary poaching of elephants will halt when the demand for the material ceases and alternative means of survival can be pursued for former poachers to support their families. The ivory trade will bring about the extinction of the African elephant, unless altered. The situation for the African elephant will improve once all people become educated of the ruthlessness behind this business, and governments all around the world become willing to join the conservation efforts to save the elephants. As humans it is our duty to prevent such intrinsically beautiful and important species from disappearing from the face of the Earth.

  1. ”African Elephant”, World Wildlife Fund, accessed April 22, 2018, https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/african-elephant.
  2. Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan Inc., “Great Elephant Census Final Results,” Great Elephant Census, last modified 2016, http://www.greatelephantcensus.com/final-report.
  3. Jonathan Hogeback, Encyclopedia Britannica, s.v.”What Makes a Species Endangered?, accessed April 22, 2018, https://www.britannica.com/story/what-makes-a-species-endangered” Between 2007-2014, the elephant population decreased by 30% and the decline rate is rapidly accelerating primarily due to poaching for the ivory trade. The extinction of this species is then highly plausible and it becomes clear that the African elephant is rapidly approaching the threshold where they will be classified as endangered.[3. Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan Inc., “Great Elephant Census Final Results,” Great Elephant Census, las modified 2016, http://www.greatelephantcensus.com/final-report.
  4. Mark Strauss, “Who buys Ivory? You’d be Surprised,” National Geographic, August 12, 2015, https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/08/150812-elephant-ivory-demand-wildlife-trafficking-china-world/.
  5. Erin Keyes, “An Elephant’s Tears,” African Wildlife Foundation (blog), February 2, 2010,  http://www.greatelephantcensus.com/final-report.
  6. Appendices I,II, III “Convention on International Trade in Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES),” July 1973, https://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php.
  7. Jane Perlez, “Ivory Trade is Banned to Save the Elephant,” The New York Times, October 1989, https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/17/science/ivory-trade-is-banned-to-save-the-elephant.html.
  8. Stephen Messenger, “Exclusive Interview with an Elephant Poacher,” the Dodo, January 1, 2014, https://www.thedodo.com/interview-with-an-elephant-poa-390317914.html.
  9. Adam Cruise, “Ivory Trading Nations Exposed,” Conservation Action Trust, November 28, 2016, https://conservationaction.co.za/media-articles/ivory-trading-nations-exposed/.
  10. Ross Harvey, “China’s ban on domestic ivory trade is huge, but the battle isn’t won,” The Conservation, January 11, 2017,  https://theconversation.com/chinas-ban-on-domestic-ivory-trade-is-huge-but-the-battle-isnt-won-71090.
  11. “China Announcement of Domestic Ivory Ban in 2017- English Translation,” WCS Newsroom, January 3, 2017,https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/12/wildlife-watch-china-ivory-ban-goes-into-effect/.
  12. Adam Cruise, “Ivory Trading Nations Exposed,” Conservation Action Trust, November 28, 2016, https://conservationaction.co.za/media-articles/ivory-trading-nations-exposed/.
  13. Adam Edelman and Kristen Welker, “Trump Administration lifts ban on importing heads of hunted elephants,” NBC News, November 16, 2017, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trump-administration-lifts-ban-importing-heads-hunted-elephants-n821331
  14. Adam Edelman and Kristen Welker, “Trump Administration lifts ban on importing heads of hunted elephants,” NBC News, November 16, 2017, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trump-administration-lifts-ban-importing-heads-hunted-elephants-n821331
  15. Rachel Nuwer, “Kenya Sets Ablaze 105 tons of Ivory,” National Geographic, April 30, 2016, https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/04/160430-kenya-record-breaking-ivory-burn/.
  16. Rachel Nuwer, “Kenya Sets Ablaze 105 tons of Ivory,” National Geographic, April 30, 2016, https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/04/160430-kenya-record-breaking-ivory-burn/.
  17. Agence France-Presse, “Elephant poaching: thousands march worldwide for wildlife protection,” The Guardian, October 4, 2014, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/05/elephant-poaching-thousands-march-worldwide-for-wildlife-protection.

Recent Comments

104 comments

  • Lashanna Hill

    That is excellent to know the stance that Kenya had on the poaching and selling of elephants for their ivory tusks. Fighting against the international interference and influence that’s sabotaging Africa of one of the greatest mammals walking the earth, The move Trump made reversing policies to put the United States back on the front lines of illegal activities against animals in Africa was very disrespectful and irresponsible to the development of these areas and the species that live there. Great article.

  • Nassima Barksdale

    It is incredibly sad that human greed and ignorance are going to be yet again the cause of another extinction. However, there seem to be efforts being made and stances are being taken to combat this crisis. Kenya burning millions of dollars worth of Ivory to stand with elephants was great to read. However, there needs to be more regulations and penalties against poachers, and buyers of Ivory if there is going to be any real change. I hope in the near future elephants and other animals are able to repopulate.

  • Makenzie Hockensmith

    This article does an excellent job of defining the problem, the decreasing elephant population as a result of the ivory trade, upfront and outright, and it centers its contents around factors that contribute to this problem and its history. It primarily focuses on concepts related to economic and environmental security related to elephant poaching, and explains how these concepts play into African culture. I found the tidbit on Kenya’s burning of its $150 million ivory stockpile particularly compelling, as it truly emphasizes how important African countries believe elephant conservation is. As one point of feedback, I think a lot of good ideas were brought up on how to combat the ivory trade at the very end of the article, however they were not discussed much; I think further discussion of those different lines of effort could be a good addition to the article!

  • Paula Salinas Gonzalez

    This was a really heartbreaking article. It is necessary for everyone to know the importance of biodiversity and each animal’s important roles. I understand that people poach these animals to support their families and that we couldn’t understand the things they go through to survive. However, they are destroying animals that are essential to their surroundings. They don’t understand that once all these animals are extinct, life will just become harder.

  • Nicolas Llosa

    This article showed the reality of the world we live in. This article shows how humans are able to impose their power over animals and drive a whole species to near extinction. This shows how egocentric the human race is. The fact that such an amazing animal like the African elephant is being driven to extinction just for the commercialization of their Ivory tusks is heartbreaking. I was surprised and somewhat relieved to see that other countries are doing something to stop the commercialization of ivory tusks. It’s so sad to see what humans are doing to the earth, this article showed me that its time to change the way humans act and stop harming other species.

  • Yaniev Ibarra

    I am heartbroken. This article allowed me to see how greedy the human race is, would do anything for wealth. The African Elephants are vital to maintain suitable habitats for other species. Up to 30 percent of tree species rely on elephants to help with germination and dispersal. It is crazy to see how humans continue to take what is not theirs, we want to be the owner of everything on the face of the earth, but we need to rapidly come to the conclusion that we are just another species here that must respect what we have around us. It is a real shame what we have made this world to be.

  • Aracely Beltran

    It was very hard for me to read this article because Elephants are my favorite animal. If you don’t understand my love for these mammals then I recommend the movie “elephant” of Disney. I hate seeing people hurt these animals and it would be a shame if we cause their extinction. Humans are the real reason why this world is the way it is.

  • Raul Colunga

    It is a shame that the elephants are being massacred to such an extent. While I understand that a lot of the poachers are just doing it to feed their families, once all of the elephants are gone then they are gone for good. Also, another reason why ivory is being sold so much is because of people in Asian countries that use it for medicine. Not only elephant tusks but also rhino. It is a good to see that China has increased how strict they are with the importation of ivory to improve the population of the elephants.

  • Mauro Bustamante

    Its understanding that the people in African need money to feed and support their family but the way they achieve in getting their money by slaughtering animals, specifically elephants for their ivory is just inhuman. Learning that there are only about 400,000 individual African elephants are left in the wild and that their existence is in constant danger. Its heartbreaking knowing that people are ripping animals apart for in general trying to survive or find a way to get money. We talk about the extinction of animals and ways to help of species survive but first we need to have self-check on what we do to animals for our own benefit.

  • Hannah Hennon

    It makes me so sad that there are still poachers who get ivory tusks from elephants even if it is a means of providing for their family. I can imagine how hard it is for those families, and there must be a lot of money involved in selling ivory tusks illegally, but I do not think it justifies their actions completely.

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