Describe an animal that people are working to protect. Explain why it should be protected - Essay Example

African Elephants Introduction Human development and advancements have continued to occur at the cost of displacement of animal habitats where various unique and beautiful animal species are at a risk of extinction. Habitats are being destroyed all over the world in the modern world at an alarming rate thus making the number of endangered species grow tremendously. It is the role of human race to preserve the heritage of this planet and ensure that the survival of fauna and flora without which planet earth would become a barren wasteland.

Destructive human activities are the primary fuels of the current rate of extinction that is at least 100-1000 times higher than the expected natural rate (Orenstein 35). Currently, scientists are estimating that more than 2000 animals are at a risk of extinction with African elephants and rhinos being at the top of the list. Most recent findings have shown that about 20 percent of Africa’s elephants could be killed in the next one decade if proper and swift measures are not taken (Faure para3-8).

The main cause of the dramatic reduction in the population of African elephants is illegal poaching and human encroachment to the animals’ habitats. According to a report that was released by the Elephant Summit in Botswana as well as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, more than 22,000 elephants were illegally killed across Africa in 2012 alone, which was a reduction from the previous year where more than 25,000 elephants had been killed. Illegal poaching was found to be more acute in the Central and Eastern African regions where estimated poaching rate was reported to be twice the continental average.

Poachers use crooked methods in killing this endangered species such as shooting the animals as well as poisoning them. For instance, in September 2013 cyanide was used to kill more than 300 elephants in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park and led to what was termed as the “worst single massacre in southern Africa for 25 years.” This are worrying figures considering the fact the continent has about 500,000 elephants and they can easily be depleted in the next one decade if the current poaching rate is not curbed.

The rate of poaching had initially dropped though the exercise has started to boom at an alarming rate. In the past century, African elephants were about to get depleted through illegal poaching whereby an estimated 100,000 elephants were being killed yearly and up to 80% of herds were lost in some regions. In Kenya for instance, the population plummeted by 85% between 1973 and 1989 (Faure para3-8). Poor governance and poverty in elephant range states as well as the astounding high demand for illegal ivory in consuming nations are said to be the main factors behind the continuous increase poaching (Orenstein 52).

Human encroachment to elephants’ habitats is another major threat to the extinction of this species. The rapid population growth in the African states of which all of them are third world countries has made attempts to balance between urban spread and habitat preservation highly problematic. Measures to protect the animals have been experiencing extreme pressure from the people as they struggle to survive themselves, a factor that makes desperate men and women result to unrestricted land clearance, or even poaching of not only elephants, but also many other endangered animals associated with African heritage.

The main markets for ivory are China, Thailand and other Asian countries whose cultures articulate much value to elephant and rhinos tusks. African states’ governments as well as the international community have started given these acts of animosity and lawlessness some attention though a lot need to be done. Poachers are adopting new tactics and strategies as a way of ensuring that they get what they value most (ivory) at any cost with some going to an extent of possessing extremely dangerous weapons that overwhelm those of the game rangers.

The main issues that need to be addressed quickly in order to conserve African elephants and reduce poaching include slowing the loss of natural habitat, strengthening activities against poachers and the illegal ivory trade, reducing conflict between human and elephant populations, determining the status of elephant populations through improved surveys as well as enhancing the capacity of local wildlife authorities to conserve and manage elephants (Orenstein 60).Works CitedTop of FormFaure , Ray.

"Elephant Poaching Could Wipe Out 20 Percent Of African Population In Next Decade, Report Shows." The Huffington Post. N.p., 2013. Web. 23 June 2014. . Orenstein, Ronald I. “Ivory, Horn, and Blood: Behind the Elephant and Rhinoceros Poaching Crisis.” 2013. Print. Bottom of Form