The numbers of elephants being killed is appalling. I knew that elephants were endangered but I definitely did not realize that it was to this extent. When I was little I was infatuated with animals and felt so bad for any endangered species, since my favorite animal, the tiger, is endangered too. I specifically remember wanting to save the elephants because I thought it was so horrible that people would murder them to get one part of their body. After reading these articles(links down below) I was reminded of the shocking truth.
Monday, September 12, 2016
Kate Boyer-Are African Elephants Going Extinct?
The ivory trading business has been around for hundreds of years, with elephants being the leading resource along with narwhals, hippos, walruses, and mammoths. In 1900 there were around 10 million elephants and in 1989 there were only a mere 600,000 elephants left, much worse is the estimated population in 2025 which is 160,000. As of now, the elephant population is decreasing 8% per year. Information was released on September 1st that there are only 352,271 alive today. Despite there being a worldwide ban on killing elephants, poachers still go after them to seek a little extra cash. The poachers only earn a couple hundred dollars and the black-market only earns a few thousand dollars from the ivory trade. If the elephants were alive, however, people would earn millions by tourism and fundraising. The poaching problem has become so bad, the Botswana Defense Force has been stationed all over the country on a "shoot-to-kill policy for poachers…"(CNN). African countries are very much aware of the issue, but because of the lack of resources and the poachers being hard to catch, not a lot is being done to end the calamity.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This is so sad. I feel that we never actually think of the life's of these animals. I feel that when we go to the zoo, we see the animal for 5 minutes and then we leave their habitat. We should honestly fix this problem with these elephant ya and animals all around the world.
ReplyDeleteThis is really sad. I completely agree with what Josh said, I do believe that we as human see them more as an exhibit than an actual animal. I think we should really take into consideration that these elephants are in fact a living, breathing organism and we should try to find a solution for this as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteI think it is shocking how so many elephants are being killed. The elephants are being killed for unreasonable reasons that should not be killed for.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, you have pointed out some fantastic points , I likewise think this s a very wonderful website. view more
ReplyDelete