You've probably noticed that the elephant has big, huge white tusks. They are called ivory and are the cause of death for a large number of these animals every year. The tusks weighing up to 60 kilos each are mainly used to make sculptures.
For a long time hunting was not prohibited, which led to the death of thousands and thousands of elephants. Faced with such violence to these animals, the authorities realized that something had to be done to end the killing.
Therefore, in 1989, the trade in elephants or any of their products was banned., including ivory, thus causing illegal hunting. Over time, the sale of ivory was allowed only in case of natural death of the animal or when it was very sick. But of course this action increased hunting! Today, it is believed that approximately 30,000 elephants are killed each year in Africa.
It is known that, in 2008, the value of a kilo of ivory reached US$ 6,500, which encouraged even more the killing of these animals. In 2012, in the Congo Basin, a kilogram was costing US$300, and in China, around US$3,000. China is one of the countries that most buy African ivory, being considered by many to be responsible for the deaths.
The demand for the material is so great that, in 2013, for example, hunters in Zimbabwe killed nearly 100 elephants by putting cyanide in the water these animals drank. Another threat to these spectacular animals is internet sales. Since the sale can be anonymous, criminals are able to elude websites and investigators.
The hunting of these animals has reached a critical level and not even the young are being spared. As such, the African population could soon drive elephants to extinction.
You can do your part by not buying ivory products and reporting advertisements that indicate the sale of this material.
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos
