Elephant Conservation Essay

Recently over the years elephant populations have drastically declined. This is due to human encroachment on their habit and poaching. Demand for ivory has increased the number of poaching kills in Africa. In 1988 congress passed the elephant African Elephant Conservation Act which placed a ban against illegal ivory imports and authorizes government funding for elephant field conservation projects. Although some African countries have initiated African elephant conservation programs, many do not have the sufficient resources to properly manage, conserve and protect their elephant’s populations. Unfortunately, we are possibly undergoing “the greatest percentage loss of elephants in history” (Ruggiero). Without the proper conservation of elephant survival we will see a drastic shift in the environment.

Due to lack of the lack of management and resources in the conservation programs has led to a further increase in poaching which has triggered to drastic decline in elephant populations. According to the Huffington post, a reputable news source, it reports, “an estimated 22,000 elephants were illegally killed across Africa in 2012”. In February alone there were as many as “650 elephants killed in a matter of days” If the elephant death continues at such a rapid rate it could lead to their demise. “Elephant poaching could wipe out 20 percent of African population in [the] next decade” (Huffington Post). An extinction in elephants would mean the possibly of many other species becoming endangered of going extinct as well.

Today, witnessing a herd of elephants is becoming increasingly uncommon, as more and more elephants die prematurely every year. Jessica Hatcher, writer for The Guardian News, reported that “There are between 410,...

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... the population of other species. By doing so, we can prevent the extinction of this keystone species as well as the extinction of many other species greatly dependent on the survival of elephants. We have seen examples of species interactions in the habits by providing valuable resources such as food, water, and sunlight. By using their enormous size they have allowed sunlight through the clearing of trees, through their tremendous weight they have created a large hole in the ground with a single footprint large enough to support a small habitat with prey, and, with their sheer tusk strength they are able to dig into dry riverbeds thus providing water. It is necessary to ensure the safety and survival of elephants by creating the proper conservation area without any human intrusions. Furthermore we must cease human encroachment on the elephant habitats in Africa.