Over 20,000 African elephants poached in 2013
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E-mail China.org.cn, June 17, 2014
Over 20,000 African elephants were poached across the continent in 2013 according to a report released last week by the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
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Over 20,000 African elephants were poached across the continent in 2013. [File photo] |
Although the sharp upward trend in illegal elephant killing observed since the mid-2000s, which had peaked in 2011, is levelling off, poaching levels remain alarmingly high and continue to far exceed the natural elephant population growth rates, resulting in a further decline in elephant populations across Africa, the report said.
The report also shows a clear increase in the number of large seizures of ivory (shipments over 500 kg) made in 2013, before the ivory left the African continent. For the first time, the number of such seizures made in Africa exceeded those made in Asia. Just three African countries -- Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda -- accounted for 80% of those seizures. Large-scale ivory seizures are indicative of transnational organized crime being involved in the illicit ivory trade.
"Africa's elephants continue to face an immediate threat to their survival from high-levels of poaching for their ivory and with over 20,000 elephants illegally killed last year the situation remains dire. Due to the collective efforts of so many, we also see some encouraging signals, but experience shows that poaching trends can shift dramatically and quickly, especially when transnational organized crime is involved," said John E. Scanlon, Secretary-General of CITES.
Southern Africa continues to hold the lion's share of Africa's elephants, holding close to 55% of the known elephants on the continent. Eastern Africa holds 28 percent and Central Africa 16 percent. In West Africa, less than 2 percent of the continent's known elephants are spread over 13 countries.
Poverty (measured by infant mortality rates) and weak governance (measured by law enforcement capacity and corruption levels), together with demand for illegal ivory in consuming nations are three key factors linked to higher poaching levels.
Overall poaching numbers were lower in 2013 than in 2012 and 2011 -- but they continue to exceed 20,000. The report warns that poaching levels will lead to continuing declines in the African elephant population.
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