Elephants close to extinction? by Vern Blossfeld

Summary: Ivory from an elephants tusk can be worth up to $30,000. Because of this, elephants, specifically in Africa, have become the targets of poachers. They get quick profit at the expense of the animals' lives. In August, a crucial tipping point was reached, at which point the number of deaths had elephants yearly had exceeded the amount of those born. 40,000 African elephants are killed a year, to be sold in curiosity China shops and around the world! Few elephants would die if ivory had little to no value. There are vital roles those in the United States could play in order to drop ivory value and increase the number of elephants alive. First, we can stop buying any items containing ivory. Second, we can ban any domestic sales or trade of ivory here. If we do this, we may be able to save the elephants.
Analysis: This relates to world history because animal extinction is an international issue, and trade is an aspect of what's causing the decline in the elephant species. If the price of ivory is to drop, all nations must come together to ban its trade and protect the elephants. I think this is an important issue because whenever we lose a species of animal, it's gone for good.
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/20/opinion/leakey-elephants-killed-for-ivory/index.html?hpt=wo_t5