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Poachers kill 93 African elephants a day as slaughter figures reach record high | Poachers kill 93 African elephants a day as slaughter figures reach record high |
(7 months later) | |
Elephants are being killed in such unprecedented numbers that there are realistic fears they could be wiped from the face of the planet within a generation. | Elephants are being killed in such unprecedented numbers that there are realistic fears they could be wiped from the face of the planet within a generation. |
Around 50,000 elephants are thought to be killed each year as the illegal ivory trade spirals out of control in Africa. | Around 50,000 elephants are thought to be killed each year as the illegal ivory trade spirals out of control in Africa. |
And unless action is taken to end the lucrative trade in wildlife products, they are headed towards extinction. | And unless action is taken to end the lucrative trade in wildlife products, they are headed towards extinction. |
Grisly images of slaughtered African elephants released year on year show the problem is not going away, despite international pressure to stop the killing. | Grisly images of slaughtered African elephants released year on year show the problem is not going away, despite international pressure to stop the killing. |
And according to researchers, most illegally poached African elephant ivory can be traced back to just two areas of Africa. | And according to researchers, most illegally poached African elephant ivory can be traced back to just two areas of Africa. |
The researchers say the data, published in Science, shows the worst area for poaching was identified as Tanzania and nearby parts of Mozambique. | |
The Tridom, which spans parts of Gabon, the Republic of Congo and Cameroon, was also highlighted. | The Tridom, which spans parts of Gabon, the Republic of Congo and Cameroon, was also highlighted. |
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) banned the international trade in ivory in 1989, but a black market trade continues to thrive. | The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) banned the international trade in ivory in 1989, but a black market trade continues to thrive. |
Ivory is used for trinkets, souvenirs and also in traditional medicines. | Ivory is used for trinkets, souvenirs and also in traditional medicines. |
And with an estimated population of less than half a million, the ongoing African poaching problem is rapidly driving the animal towards extinction, according to some conservationists. | And with an estimated population of less than half a million, the ongoing African poaching problem is rapidly driving the animal towards extinction, according to some conservationists. |
The bad news comes only one year after 46 countries signed the London declaration on illegal wildlife trade. | |
Researchers and conservationists hope the statistics will prompt policy makers to take further action to stem the years-long onslaught of poaching. | Researchers and conservationists hope the statistics will prompt policy makers to take further action to stem the years-long onslaught of poaching. |
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