The African Elephant...nothing is more synonymous with the continent of Africa than this majestic animal. From the sweeping grasslands of the Serengeti to the coarse sands of the Namib desert, the African Elephant has roamed here for countless millennia surviving against flood, famine, disease, and never-ending civil strife and war waged everywhere around them.
Over the last century, hundreds of thousands of African Elephants have been illegally killed by poachers. Most of the large male "Tuskers", as they are more commonly known, have long since disappeared, their faces cut off, tusk removed, and their corpses left to rot in the harsh African sun.
Back in the early part of the 20th century, there may have been as many as 3-5 million African elephants roaming across Africa. Today estimates are that there are only around 415,000 according to the World Wildlife Federation (WWF).
It is difficult to fathom that an amazing species such as this may someday disappear altogether from the African continent simply because of someone wanting to have a piece of jewelry or ornament made of ivory to adorn their mantlepiece.
There is however continued hope, as more rigid laws are enacted and more resources are allocated to protect those elephants left standing and hopefully reverse this strategy of which mankind is 100% responsible for.
Over the last century, hundreds of thousands of African Elephants have been illegally killed by poachers. Most of the large male "Tuskers", as they are more commonly known, have long since disappeared, their faces cut off, tusk removed, and their corpses left to rot in the harsh African sun.
Back in the early part of the 20th century, there may have been as many as 3-5 million African elephants roaming across Africa. Today estimates are that there are only around 415,000 according to the World Wildlife Federation (WWF).
It is difficult to fathom that an amazing species such as this may someday disappear altogether from the African continent simply because of someone wanting to have a piece of jewelry or ornament made of ivory to adorn their mantlepiece.
There is however continued hope, as more rigid laws are enacted and more resources are allocated to protect those elephants left standing and hopefully reverse this strategy of which mankind is 100% responsible for.
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