The world Elephant population, regardless of the species, has been steadily declining each and every year due to poaching. Over the last 100 years, African Elephant populations have declined from 3-5 million to 470,000-690,000 and Asian Elephant populations have declined from 100,000 to between 35,000 to 50,000. (http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/ endangered_species/elephants/human_elephant_conflict.cfm)

     Not only is the global Elephant population declining, but radical and terrorist groups like ISIS and Al Shabaab are using Ivory sales to make profit to buy weapons. As long as we continue to sell Ivory in the US, more specifically Maryland, we could be funding those groups and providing them with weapons in the long run. This could lead to more global conflict and more problems with the US if it is not fixed soon. We hope that this petition will lead to a law being passed by the state of Maryland congress to end all Ivory imports to the state of Maryland. 

Image source: (cykjnamibia.wordpress.com)