Conservation Issue
Wildlife conservation is the protection of
species and the habitats of animals.
What are some of the threats to
animals?
• There are often many different reasons that
contribute to the destruction of animals, but
most mainly result from the continuous conflict
between man and animals.
Some universal dangers include:
• Religious/spiritual reasons.
• Habitat destructions (for land, resources)
• Overkill (more hunting than reproducing)
Eventually all these factors could lead to the
extinction of a whole species!
• Thus, animal conservation takes place, to stop
this from happening.
My chosen conservation issue is that
of the...
ELEPHANT
• Their existence however is being challenged by
many factors which if not solved may even cause
their extinction!
• So what exactly are the threats to them...?
Habitat Loss
• Elephants are the largest land animals and they
need plenty of space to roam and graze. As
human populations rise, elephant land is being
cleared for agriculture and other kinds of
development.
Habitat loss means that large animal species end
up sharing even smaller areas. When animals are
effectively trapped on small areas of land, it also
restricts the gene pool and usually results in a
shortage of food.
Conflict with humans
• Where elephant reserves border agricultural areas, elephants are
often tempted to leave parks to raid crops and granaries. Only the
sturdiest walls will stop a mature elephant (males can weigh
6,000kg) so farmers have great difficulty protecting their fields.
“In India, elephants don't only raid for food. Some have developed a
taste for rice beer and go on drunken rampages. In Assam,
elephant/human conflict has resulted in the death of more than 150
people and 200 elephants in the space of two years.”
• Poverty can also lead to the killing of elephants for meat.
– This is a particular problem in central Africa where elephant carcasses
have been found stripped of flesh, but with tusks still intact. If people
don't have enough food and their governments cannot afford to
enforce poaching bans, it's not difficult to predict the outcome…
Ivory
• Ivory comes from elephant tusk, and is an extremely
popular resource from elephants.
During the 1970s and 80s, the demand for ivory contributed
to the halving of the world's elephant population (from
around 1.3 million to 600,000). At this time, poachers
were killing a thousand elephants a week.
• The demand for ivory has increased with manufacture
leading to more illegal poaching. They say it is virtually
impossible to tell legal from poached ivory.
Zoos and Circuses
• Many elephant conservation organizations campaign to
stop live elephants being exported for exhibition in zoos
and circuses. They are concerned that the methods used to
tame wild elephants are excessively cruel. Elephants are
beaten, kept in chains, confined to small spaces, hobbled
and food and water is withheld from them.
Although the demand for animal circuses in the UK is
declining, in mainland Europe and other parts of the world,
it is quite common for elephants to be kept solely to
entertain the public.
However these practices can eventually lead to health
implications for the elephants ultimately threatening their
existence.
Sadly all types of elephants are in
danger:
• Sadly all types of elephants are in danger:
Now what can we do to help?
• Investigate wildlife charities and pressure groups you may like to
support.
• Don't buy ivory. If there was no market for it, the poachers would
have no incentive to kill elephants.
• You could consider going on an elephant trek - but check the
company's credentials first. Responsible tourism can help to save
some of the world's most endangered species by promoting the
conservation of wildlife and important habitats and providing a
source of income for local communities.
• Find out more about elephants. Read books, get in touch with
conservation organisations and search the internet for information.
The more informed you are, the more you will be able to help.
• Get involved in fund raising activities. Draw attention to the
problems that elephants face in the wild.
• Tell your friends and family about the situation.
• If the situation is not controlled it could
spiral out of control...
