Indeed, some of the death toll numbers are absolutely staggering. The Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania has lost roughly 27,000 elephants in just the last three years. Central Africa leads the continent in elephant killings, while Tanzania and Kenya are also near the top. In rare places, such as Botswana, the elephant population has somehow managed to increase during that time span.
Most experts blame a surge in China’s middle class for the increase in both ivory demand and street value. Each time ivory demand rises, new poachers are borne out of impoverished Africans who turn to this horrific criminal act for the steep financial gains.
During an event at which the Chinese embassy to Kenya donated anti-poaching equipment to several conservancies, the Chinese ambassador announced that the country has amplified its efforts to educate the populace about the ivory trade, and hopes to alter public perception of ivory in the country.
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/18/100000-elephants-killed_n_5688893.html?utm_hp_ref=green
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