What makes this study so significant? This month's study is the first to scientifically quantify the number of deaths across the African continent by measuring elephant deaths in one closely monitored park in Kenya and using other published data to extrapolate fatality tolls across the continent.
Who published this study? The world's leading elephant experts published a peer-review study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It was co-authored by experts from Save the Elephants, the Kenya Wildlife Service, the international group MIKE, and two international universities. The study's lead author is George Wittemyer of Colorado State University.
Please find the full article by Jason Straziuso of the Associated Press here.
What are the details?- One decade ago, 25% of all elephant deaths were attributed to illegal killing.
- Today, 65% of all elephant deaths result from illegal killing.
- Experts agree that the continuation of this percentage will lead to the extinction of the species.
- Central Africa has highest rate of poaching.
- The elephant population in Tanzania's Selous Game Reserve has dropped from 40,000 to 13,000 over the last three years!
What is causing this spike in poaching?
"The causation in my mind is clear", said George Wittemyer of Colorado State University, lead author of the study. China's rising middle class and the demand for ivory in that country of 1.3 billion people is driving the black market price of ivory up. The impoverished people of Africa are "willing to take the criminal risk" and kill these majestic animals for their ivory. "The current demand for ivory is unsustainable. This is our overarching conclusion. It must come down otherwise the elephants will continue to decrease", said Iain Douglas-Hamilton, founder of Save the Elephants.
According to the AP article, China is aware of its image problem concerning the ivory trade. The Chinese embassy in Kenya this month donated anti-poaching equipment to four wildlife conservancies. The Chinese Ambassador stated that China is increasing publicity and education of its people to increase understanding of the illegal ivory trade. "I assure you that more action will follow as will support to fulfill our promise. We firmly believe that, through joint efforts, the drive of combating wildlife crimes will achieve success", stated Ambassador Liu Xianfa.
What does the future hold? Despite the huge death numbers, both Wittemyer and Douglas-Hamilton believe elephants can survive. In fact, Botswana is a bright spot, with an elephant population that is holding steady or growing. The areas that are willing to invest in wildlife security will see the numbers hold steady. The Rare Species Fund (RSF) supports a number of groups that are assisting in the protection of African elephants.
The RSF is a supporter of Elephants of Africa Rescue Society (EARS), a non-profit organization that protects safe habitats for wild African animals and their captive cousins. EARS elephants participate in noninvasive studies that expand the elephant population database and improve captive breeding
of this beloved and greatly endangered species.
In addition to EARS, the
Rare Species Fund works with the International Elephant Foundation. The IEF supports conservation and education, both in managed facilities and in the wild. One example of the many projects supported with funding from the RSF is in Burkina-Faso and West Africa, where the human population will triple by 2050. IEF's philosophy is simple:
People Protect What They Appreciate!
More than 80% of the children who took part in the IEF educational program had never seen an elephant before. Now hundreds of children, along with their families, are involved in long-term elephant conservation. Such efforts connect local populations to their African wildlife heritage and a rapport with nature that had all but faded into history. As Doc Antle has stated, it is so important for all generations to remember our historical connection with these amazing mammals. "The elephants helped us walk out of Africa 60,000 years ago because they knew where to find water. Following them helped humanity survive."
