How can the poaching be addressed?
"This alarming loss in elephant numbers can only be tackled through a specific country-by-country strategy. Such a strategy needs to be rapidly researched and implemented for the long-term survival of the iconic African elephant – before it’s too late," suggest the analysts.
Many also believe the issue needs to be resolved at the source of the consumption market. Towards the end of 2016 China has just confirmed it will end the world’s largest ivory market, with key changes to be in place as early as the end of March 2017 and a full domestic ivory sales ban by the end of the new year ahead.
Between 800 and 900 cases of ivory smuggling are uncovered in mainland China each year, according to customs figures. And more than half of legitimate ivory businesses are implicated in the illegal trade. The United States - the world's second-largest consumer of illegal ivory after China - announced in June a near-total ban on the trade of African elephant ivory but with notable exemptions including antiques.
WildAid CEO Peter Knights says,“China’s exit from the ivory trade is the greatest single step that could be taken to reduce poaching for elephants. We thank President Xi for his leadership and congratulate the State Forestry Administration for this timely plan. We will continue to support their efforts through education and persuading consumers not to buy ivory.”
There are also innovative initiatives being employed to eliminate the rapid decline caused by poaching.An initiative led by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in association with British Airways, says human-elephant conflict is being managed in a most sustainable manner - by erecting honey-bee fences between areas where humans grow food, and elephants roam freely.
SEE: Human-elephant conflict: Bees fight the sustainable battle in Kenya
The project, piloted in 2014 in consultation with elephant expert Dr Lucy King, has now been expanded. The farmers in the area were desperate for a solution and very receptive to the idea two years ago. And their hopes for a solution paid off.