Poaching is an act where animals are killed illegally. 

Elephants are the largest mammals on Earth. For elephants to survive there, ecological needs have to be met. They need extensive land areas, food and water, in fact, they can consume hundreds of pounds of plants in a single day. These intelligent creatures help their ecosystems in so many ways. Different types of elephants have their own way of helping their ecosystem. Elephants directly influence forests, they help maintain biodiversity, influence composition and density, help disperse seeds and alter the landscape in beneficial ways. Recently due to habitat loss and poaching the elephant population is decreasing. Around 100 years ago, the elephant population was estimated to be 12 million which shrank to 400,000 in recent years. Some populations in South Africa are safe and expanding but others are continuously falling. Between 2007-2014 African forest elephants have lost 30% of their geological range and their population declined by 62%. African savanna elephants’ population decreased by 30 between 2007-2014 as well. As to date, the greatest threat to elephants is wildlife crime and habitat loss.

Most African elephants are poached for illegal ivory trading. Elephant tusks have ivory which can be used for many human products. Ivory can be used in jewellery ornaments, piano keys and other items that humans enjoy. Elephant tusk do not grow back and elephants need their tusks for many reasons. Elephants tusks originally involved from teeth to severe a variety of purposes: digging, lifting, gathering food and defence. Without their tusks, it is hard for elephants to survive. Sometimes when elephants are poached, it causes death instantly. Poachers kill about 20, 000 elephants each year, which is about 55 elephants each day. Elephants are amazing creatures and we have to help protect them. Not only elephants there are so many other animals that are now endangered species due to poaching. Pangolins are the highest poached animals. Between 2000-2013 over a million pangolins were killed. 

We have to raise awareness about this issue. Not only does poaching lead to extinction but it can also cause ecosystems to collapse. This issue also affects humans. Many park rangers who are in charge to keep these endangered species safe are also killed by poachers in order to get to the animals. Poachers are not the only people involved in this illegal act, people who sell ivory, scales or fur are also a part of the problem. The government that can not stop this is also a part of the problem. There is more than one goup of people to blame. Poaching is a big issue and there needs to be more awareness about this around the world.