The Issue?
Organized gangs of poachers used automatic weapons, profited from government corruption, and laundered tons of elephant tusks through several African countries to destination in Eastern and Western countries.
What does poaching have to do with the ivory trade?
Poaching is a huge issue when it comes to African Elephants. The elephant populations across Africa are fairing diferently, with some of them remaining endagered and others now that are secure. Southern Africa is the stronghold for the species, with large and expanding populatons. Poachers move from place to place where the elephants population has not yet been obliterated, wiping it out wherever they go. Significant elephant populations are neverless confined to well-protected areas, which form only a fraction of total elephant range. The species remains threatened by illlegal hunting for meat and ivory, habitat loss and human elephant conflict. Most range states do not have adequate capacity to protect and manage their herds. If conservation action is not forthcoming, elephants may become locally extinct in some parts of Africa within 50 years (Plumer).
Plumer, B. (n.d.). Study:Illegal poaching could drive African elephants to extinction.
Retrieved September 27, 2014
