Is elephant poaching Still a Problem 2020?
Is elephant poaching Still a Problem 2020?
On June 23, 2020, another study, published in the science journal Scientific Reports, concluded that while elephant poaching levels have mostly remained the same in central and western Africa, less poaching in eastern and southern Africa had made it look like poaching across the continent had declined.
Why do people poach elephants?
Elephants are poached primarily for ivory, and rhinos for their horns. Poaching threatens many species and can contribute to extinction. It can also have a tremendous impact on the environment, especially when a keystone species such as the elephant is targeted.
Do poachers still exist?
In Africa, poachers kill thousands of endangered animals every day. Poaching in Africa statistics reveal that many countries have increased their efforts to stop it. However, the poachers are still at large.
Can you still hunt elephants?
Elephants can be hunted in eight African countries, namely, Cameroon, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Botswana has the highest concentration of Elephants and now once again open for hunting after being closed for a number of years.
How can we stop elephants from becoming extinct?
To get there, we employ five major strategies:
- Prevent illegal killing.
- Protect elephant habitat.
- Monitor elephant numbers, poaching rates, and threats to elephant habitat at key sites in Africa and Asia.
- Reduce ivory trafficking.
- Reduce the demand for ivory.
How is the elephant population being affected by poaching?
Poaching caused a decline of African elephants from 1.3 million to 600,000 individuals between 1979-1987. Mortality was unusually concentrated among the largest adults with the biggest tusks. Old matriarchs (the oldest adult females that provide the social glue in elephant herds) were particularly vulnerable.
When did poaching become an issue?
As rural poverty was prevalent in the 1700s, many people turned to poaching just to survive. Commoners protected poachers as an act of rebellion, because food was so scarce.
Why is poaching still happening?
Underlying all poaching is the demand for animal products. Reduce the demand for ivory, horns, hides and other products, and you cut the heart out of the poaching industry. For many products, demand is driven by traditions, many of which don’t stand up to the scrutiny of science and the realities of the modern world.
Why should we save elephants?
Elephants help maintain forest and savanna ecosystems for other species and are integrally tied to rich biodiversity. Elephants are important ecosystem engineers. They make pathways in dense forested habitat that allow passage for other animals.
