Since the 1970’s elephants have been under threat by two primary reasons:

• Habitat loss due to deforestation
• Ivory Trade

At the turn of the 20th century, there were approximately 1.2 million African elephants. However within the past few years the demand for ivory has increased within Asia. Due to the increase in illegal elephant poaching for ivory, currently there are an estimated 450,000 – 700,000 African elephants left in the world.

My paper will discuss the arguments for and against the prohibition of international trade of ivory will have on the conservation of elephants.

The following headings will be touched on:

Introduction

• Importance of elephant conservation

History

• African elephant range and history.
• Value of elephants to Africa and worldwide.
• Risks to elephant populations

Elephant Poaching

• What is ivory?
• What is poaching?
• Who is involved?
• Methods involved in poaching.

Regulations, Law and Enforcement

• Laws within Africa for elephant poaching and ivory trade.
• Organizations
• Current state of regulation and wildlife protection
  – Enforcement
  – Effectiveness

Legalization of Ivory Trade

• Proposed Ideas
  – Central Ivory Selling Organization (CISO)
• Arguments for the legalization of ivory trade
• Arguments against the legalization of ivory trade.