If Elephants Could Speak...And Why We Should Listen

Alexandra Talleur

This is a comparative historical analysis of the global and grassroots efforts to save the

African elephant species.

I argue that cross-border initiatives are the future of conservation.

Their plight began with the ivory trade.

Long valued for their tusks,

African elephant

populations declined from

an estimated 1.2 million in

the 1970s to roughly

500,000 today.

Ending the ivory trade.

Habitat loss and human-elephant conflict pose one of the biggest challenges for conservationists

and politicians alike.

“We do now, through trade monitoring processes, have a

greatly improved understanding of the current situation on the

ground, the ivory trade dynamics facing the species across its range

and the market drivers behind this trade.”

– Dr. Holly Dublin, Chair of IUCN’s African Elephant Specialist Group.

Innovating in their time of need.

Colonialism in Africa fragmented cultures, communities and ecosystems.

It imposed political borders that have left a legacy of conflict for humans, and are obstructing the flow of wildlife between nations.

Now, cross-border initiatives are creating

hope.

Ecotourism has the potential to boost local livelihoods while preserving natural resources.

Elephants push conservationists and politicians to go beyond borders physically and psychologically for greater impact.