August 12 is designated as World Elephant Day, dedicated to the conservation and protection of elephants. (Sri Lanka Latest News)
The main cause of elephant poaching in Africa is the ivory trade. In northern Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and one of Africa’s best wildlife areas, a stray African elephant is at risk of poaching at any time.
Today the world is facing an unprecedented increase in the illegal wildlife trade. If no action is taken, the African elephant, the largest land mammal on Earth and the target of the illegal ivory trade, could be on the brink of active extinction within the next 10 to 20 years, environmentalists have said.
In Sri Lanka, many elephants die as a result of human-elephant conflict for ivory.
The Sri Lankan subspecies is one of the largest and darkest Asian elephants.
Elephants found in Sri Lanka are now being pushed into smaller areas as humans clear forests for development and disrupt their ancient migration routes.
Herd sizes in Sri Lanka range from 12-20 individuals or more. It is led by the eldest female, or matriarch. Sri Lanka’s elephant population has declined by about 65% since the beginning of the 19th century. Today, the Sri Lankan elephant is protected under Sri Lankan law and killing an elephant is punishable by death.
On July 30, 2015, the United Nations adopted the first resolution to combat wildlife trafficking, entitled “Resolution to Combat Illegal Trafficking in Wildlife”. All 193 UN member states are committed to expanding efforts to end poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
Two months later, China and the United States pledged to end their domestic ivory trade as part of international efforts to end poaching and save elephants.
On December 30, 2016, China completely banned domestic ivory trade within a year.
Endangered elephant species could become extinct 100 times faster than previously thought, scientists have warned, adding that Earth’s sixth mass extinction is likely.
Human activities such as poaching, habitat destruction and climate change are all responsible for this extinction and it will be man’s responsibility to understand and protect the elephant as a resource.
