The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has created a listing protocol to establish an inventory of biological species. The ranking system incorporates colors and abbreviations to make the listing comprehensive and easily understandable. Starting with LC (least conerning) and moving to EX (extinct) the labeling provides an easy system for most people to understand where a given species lies.
There are several main contributing factors that have led to the dramatic reduction of the elephant population worldwide. Many Eastern countries place high value on ivory obtained from elephant tusks which has created a high demand that can only be satisfied by poaching elephants and removing their tusks once dead. Human population growth has led to deforestation and habitat reduction across much of the elephants original territory. Their migration paths have been blocked and fenced off leaving them with inadequate access to resources such as water and food. Unfortunately this restriction of land forces elephants into agricultural areas where they often fall victim to death by gunshots when farmers wish to protect their crops. They are also hunted by Africans that have unstable food supplies and rely on them to prevent starvation.
There are many conservation agencies that are busy at work to rebuild the elephant population and prevent further destruction of habitat. The US has granted several million dollars toward elephant conservation in hopes of warding off extinction. The elephant population as a whole has seen an increase in number over the past decade thanks to these efforts and with growing support it is projected that they will slowly move down the IUCN red list in the future.
Sources:
http://www.elephantconservation.org/
http://www.fws.gov/international/DIC/pdf/Afe_fs.pdf
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Nice post. I have always heard about how elephants are poached for their tusks, but I haven't heard about any progress on stopping the poachers from killing them off to extinction. It is good to hear that some efforts are being executed and that they are actually making a difference. I wonder if there are any African governmental laws that try to regulate poaching and hunting of elephants. No doubt, poaching would still take place. but perhaps if the governments where the poaching is taking place created laws against this, then the elephant population would increase. I hope to see more success in the future!
ReplyDelete