Scientist report that since 2010, an average of 35,000 African elephants have died annually. According to BBC, researchers claim that this could potentially cause elephants to become extinct within the next century (via PNAS).
The increase of elephant deaths has been attributed to the increased worth of precious ivory (made from elephant tusks). While illegal poaching has become punishable via criminalization, some people have still risked their lives by killing these majestic animals.
This demand has come from a great demand from Asia’s black market. BBC reports that a kilogram (2.2 pounds) goes for “thousands of pounds”. The average elephant tusk weighs 100 to 175 lbs! It’s an unfortunate situation for the African Elephant, animal organizations are demanding a higher defense for these animals.
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