One of the largest elephant threats over time has been due to the ivory trade. Ivory is unique to elephants and their tusks are the only source. Unfortunately elephants also have a long life span and do not breed or grow quickly. Therefore overhunting for ivory largely depleted the elephant population. While hunting has been curbed it is still possible to hunt the elephant in many countries as long as you get a permit.
The vast majority of elephants were killed for their tusks as they were the only source of ivory. Most countries have banned elephant hunting but a few still allow hunting by permit only.
Additionally burning of trees cause a change in the ecosystem so that erosion and water runoff cause deforestation. These trees and shrub are the elephant's food and when the forests are greatly reduced the elephants will quickly destroy the rest of the forest in their search for food.
This destruction mainly homes in the form of deforestation and deforestation causes soil erosion and water runoff which is highly destructive to the elephant's primary food source of trees and bushes. With smaller forests the elephants that do reside there will eat through or rampage the remaining wildlife very quickly which does not allow for any natural reforestation to occur.
National parks also may suffer from animal overcrowding and many parks may need to use culling in order to maintain the proper number of species that can survive. Beside shunting many elephants are used for work and are domesticated and animal cruelty is an issue, particularly in circuses and can deplete the population further.
National parks are also know for overcrowding which can be detrimental to an elephants survival and many national parks are reintroducing culling to deal with this issue. However currently national parks are the only real solution for saving the elephants.
The vast majority of elephants were killed for their tusks as they were the only source of ivory. Most countries have banned elephant hunting but a few still allow hunting by permit only.
Additionally burning of trees cause a change in the ecosystem so that erosion and water runoff cause deforestation. These trees and shrub are the elephant's food and when the forests are greatly reduced the elephants will quickly destroy the rest of the forest in their search for food.
This destruction mainly homes in the form of deforestation and deforestation causes soil erosion and water runoff which is highly destructive to the elephant's primary food source of trees and bushes. With smaller forests the elephants that do reside there will eat through or rampage the remaining wildlife very quickly which does not allow for any natural reforestation to occur.
National parks also may suffer from animal overcrowding and many parks may need to use culling in order to maintain the proper number of species that can survive. Beside shunting many elephants are used for work and are domesticated and animal cruelty is an issue, particularly in circuses and can deplete the population further.
National parks are also know for overcrowding which can be detrimental to an elephants survival and many national parks are reintroducing culling to deal with this issue. However currently national parks are the only real solution for saving the elephants.
About the Author:
Roger Burns stays in South Africa and sends much of his time watching and studying the Elephants and is concerned about the threats to elephants in our world today.
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