The majestic African elephants are in trouble as wildlife experts say poachers are slaughtering as many as 25,000 of them a year because of their ivory tusks. If things don't change soon the African elephant could be extinct within decades, experts warn.
The majestic African elephants are in trouble as wildlife experts say poachers are slaughtering as many as 25,000 of them a year because of their ivory tusks. If things don't change soon the African elephant could be extinct within decades, experts warn.
courtesy wwf-namibia
Actress Kristin Davis and Paula Kahumbu attend the U.S. Ivory Crush at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge on November 14, 2013 in Commerce City, Colorado.
Actress Kristin Davis and Paula Kahumbu attend the U.S. Ivory Crush at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge on November 14, 2013 in Commerce City, Colorado.
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images/file
Poaching has surged in recent years with gangs killing elephants in record numbers to feed the ever increasing demand for ivory.
Poaching has surged in recent years with gangs killing elephants in record numbers to feed the ever increasing demand for ivory.
Tony Karumba/AFP/Getty Images
Most of the ivory that's smuggled out of Africa ends up in Asia.
Most of the ivory that's smuggled out of Africa ends up in Asia.
TONY KARUMBA/AFP/Getty Images/file
Once smuggled out of Africa, the ivory is sculpted into jewelry or art pieces and collected by the rich.
Once smuggled out of Africa, the ivory is sculpted into jewelry or art pieces and collected by the rich.
Courtesy Delbert Royce
Analysts say it is an $8-10 billion a year international industry.
Analysts say it is an $8-10 billion a year international industry.
Tony Karumba/AFP/Getty Images