How to Solve the African Elephant Poaching Crisis

By: Scott RossApril 30, 2014

Vulnerable Species (VU) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List: A species considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild

Unique feeding/sleeping habits/gestation period Life expectancy (wild vs. captive) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

(CITES) banned the international commercial trade in African elephant ivory (1989)◦ 1930: 5-10 million◦ 2014: 400,000-700,000◦ 8% lost each year!

Native to 37 countries but extinct in 3◦ Extinct in Burundi, Gambia, and Mauritania; reintroduced in

Swaziland

Background: African Elephants

Keystone species: a species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically

Size Intrinsic value Preserve biodiversity: digging into Earth

for soil rich minerals and salts and benefits other species, too◦ Maintain trails used by various species◦ Keep down vegetation surrounding water

holes, enabling safe drinking locations for all other species

Source of attraction in Africa Tourism $14,375 income from tourists for

every year of its life◦ Average elephant is worth $862,500-$1,006,250 in tourism costs alone◦ Elephant-related tourism = $200 million/year

Why are they important?

◦ Habitat loss and poaching◦ Poaching #1 threat

20% population decline if rates continue Organized crime, corrupt officials

involved with illegal poaching and ivory trade

Demand: >35,000 elephants/year 38.8 tonnes seized (2011)

◦ Effects of Poaching Tourism decreases less elephants Economy suffers, political instability

ensues Rising demand of ivory has “contributed

to funds used by terror and insurgent High groups” (Peter Knights, Executive Director of WildAid)

Main Threats

Ivory and meat #1 reason: ivory

◦ Symbol of wealth; cultural significance Unique texture

◦ Softness (carving, durability)◦ Lack of hard outer coating of enamel; does not

splinter Piano keys Spear tips Bow tips Needles Combs Buckles Jewelry Weapons Scottish bagpipes Billiard balls Buttons Flatware handles Furniture inlays Carvings Statues Hairpins Chopsticks Ornamental items (i.e. okimono, netsukes)

Why are African Elephants Poached?

70% of ivory◦ Growing middle class◦ High demand

1 pound of ivory = $1,000◦ Comparison to African

countries yearly income Piano keys: Steinway

funded a study at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

Invested $232,000 Developed synthetic polymer RPIvory Feels/plays like ivory to pianists

China’s Influence

Chinese NGOs, Yao Ming, and Li Bing Bing (2013): raise awareness, lessen demand, protect endangered wildlife

January, 2014: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge; David Beckham voiced support via PSAs broadcasted throughout China

January 6, 2014: Dongguan, China confiscated and destroyed 6 tonnes of ivory

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) supplies equipment and training that is necessary for:◦ Anti-poaching operations◦ Securing critical habitats◦ Working towards demand reduction of

ivory

Progress Taking Place

Valuable because they preserve biodiversity; largest land-living animal; tourist attraction

Interactive resource: population size determined by biological considerations and actions taken by society

Finding the efficient level of harvest, AKA efficient sustainable yield is very hard with elephants◦ Find the “catch,” or hunting level that

would produce largest annual net benefit if maintained continuously

◦ One component of the sustainable yield is assuming that the price of elephants is constant and does not depend on amount sold constantly changing, increases difficulty

Economics of Elephant Management

Private market does not provide socially optimal quantity because elephant tusks are a common resource◦ Considered to be common

resource because Africa does not have the necessary resources to protect this species

◦ Elephants are being “over used” Unsustainable practice Killed faster than the rate they

replenish their population

Economics of Elephant Management

Increase awareness; education

Protect younger generations of African elephants birthing population grows

Pay poachers to do the opposite of what they are doing currently

Increase regulation and monitoring; stiffen penalties

Raise price of ivory exceed middle class

Solutions

“The presence of African elephants helps to maintain suitable habitats for many other species. In central African forests, up to 30 percent of tree species may require elephants to help with dispersal and germination. They play a pivotal role in shaping their habitat because of the enormous impact they have on factors ranging from fresh water to forest cover.” (https://worldwildlife.org/species/african-elephant)

Worth Saving?