The Battle for the President Elephants

The African elephant is one of the most iconic animals on the planet. With its massive size, long trunk, and distinctive ears, the elephant is a symbol of strength and wisdom. However, the African elephant is also facing a serious threat from poaching. The ivory trade is driving elephants to the brink of extinction, and unless something is done to stop it, these majestic creatures could disappear from the wild.

Battle for the President's Elephants: Life, Lunacy and Elation in the African Bush

by Sharon Pincott

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5874 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	242 pages
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The History of the Ivory Trade

The ivory trade has a long and bloody history. For centuries, elephants have been killed for their ivory tusks. Ivory was used to make a variety of products, including jewelry, furniture, and religious objects. In the 19th century, the demand for ivory skyrocketed as a result of the Industrial Revolution. The invention of new technologies made it possible to produce large quantities of ivory products at a relatively low cost. As a result, the ivory trade expanded rapidly, and elephant populations began to decline.

In the early 20th century, the international community began to take action to protect elephants. In 1900, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was established. CITES is an international agreement that regulates the trade in endangered species. Ivory was added to the CITES list in 1975, and the international ivory trade was banned.

The Decline of the Ivory Trade

The CITES ban on the international ivory trade had a significant impact on the elephant population. Elephant poaching declined, and elephant populations began to recover. However, the ivory trade did not completely disappear. A illegal ivory trade continued to operate, and elephants continued to be killed for their tusks.

In the late 20th century, the demand for ivory in China and other Asian countries increased dramatically. This increased demand led to a new surge in elephant poaching. In the 1980s and 1990s, elephant populations in Africa declined by more than half.

The Battle for the President Elephants

In 2016, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced a new rule that would ban the import of ivory into the United States. The rule was intended to help protect elephants from poaching. However, the rule was challenged in court by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and other groups. In 2017, a federal judge struck down the rule.

The USFWS is appealing the court's decision. The agency is also working with other governments to strengthen international laws against elephant poaching. The battle for the president elephants is not over. Elephants are still being killed for their ivory, and the ivory trade is still a major threat to the survival of the species.

What Can Be Done to Stop Elephant Poaching?

There are a number of things that can be done to help stop elephant poaching. First, we need to reduce the demand for ivory. This can be done by educating people about the devastating impact of the ivory trade on elephants. We also need to support organizations that are working to protect elephants from poaching.

Second, we need to strengthen international laws against elephant poaching. The CITES ban on the international ivory trade is a good start, but we need to do more. We need to increase penalties for ivory trafficking and make it more difficult for poachers to operate.

Third, we need to support sustainable development in Africa. Poverty is a major factor in elephant poaching. By providing economic opportunities for people living in elephant range countries, we can help to reduce the incentive to poach elephants.

The Future of the African Elephant

The future of the African elephant is uncertain. If we do not act now to stop elephant poaching, these majestic creatures could disappear from the wild. However, there is still hope. We have the knowledge and the resources to save elephants. By working together, we can protect these amazing animals for generations to come.

Battle for the President's Elephants: Life, Lunacy and Elation in the African Bush

by Sharon Pincott

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5874 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	242 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE