Despite an international trade ban on off-white in 1989 , elephant are still being slaughtered in their 10 of thousands every twelvemonth for their tusk . A new reporthas let on that the number of elephants being poached seems to have stabilize , however the total number being kill is “ at levels that remain unacceptably high overall , ” and stillfar exceedthe numbers that are being born , meaning that the animals are continuing to worsen .
The reporthas been liberate by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ( CITES ) , which compiles the authoritative stage set of numbers on the trends of elephant populations . They have foundthat the unwavering increment in African elephant being poach for their ivory , which started in 2006 , has finally halted . The physical body show that the figure of elephants being illegally vote down peak in 2011 , when poaching accounted for 75 percent of all elephant deaths , and since then has declined , although not enough for the populations to start reclaim .
Elephants in Central Africa , such as this one in Garamba National Park , are being decimated . ENOUGH Project / Flickr CC BY - NC - ND 2.0
When the data point is break down into regional parts , however , the picture starts to change . While East Africa has fancy their numbers drop for the fourth year in a wrangle , and particular praise has been given to Kenya , the populations of elephants in West Africa are being hit firmly . The wood elephants that live in the rainforests of Central and West Africa have seen a shocking62 percentage declinein the last X alone . The picture from Southern Africa is also mixed , as despite historically being a stronghold for the animals , last yr get wind a disturbing increase in poaching in the iconic Kruger National Park .
“ African elephant population preserve to confront an quick threat to their selection from unacceptably eminent - degree of poach for their tusk , especially in Central and West Africa where mellow spirit level of poaching are still evident,”saysJohn E. Scanlon , the Secretary - General for CITES . “ There are some supporting signs , include in certain part of Eastern Africa , such as Tsavo in Kenya , where the overall poaching trends have worsen , designate us all what is possible through a free burning and collective effort with potent political funding . ”
Numbers vary , but it ’s generally thought that around 30,000 elephant are still being killed each twelvemonth . The reputation from CITES look at just under 15,000 carcasses from across the continent between 2003 and 2015 to give an insight into how many are being illegally vote down for ivory , and how that percentage is changing .
cite has also identify the 22 countries “ most to a great extent entail in the illegal trade in off-white . ” Of these , they have found eight countries to be of “ primary care " : China , Kenya , the Philippines , Thailand , Vietnam , Malaysia , Uganda , and the United Republic of Tanzania . cite has brought 19 of these nations together , and is asking them to develop and implement a National Ivory Action Plan , in the Leslie Townes Hope that one day more elephant will be born than are killed .
