African Elephant Poaching Reaches Crisis Point

The world is witnessing the highest drop in elephant numbers in 25 years.

The International Union For Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that Africa's total elephant population stands at around 415,000 - a decline of around 111,000 over the past decade.

"The surge in poaching for ivory that began approximately a decade ago - the worst that Africa has experienced since the 1970s and 1980s has been the main driver of the decline," said IUCN.

The Guardian reports a third of Africa's savannah elephants were wiped out between 2007 and 2014. Judging by the current trend, when today's children reach adulthood, the African elephant will be extinct in the wild.

Activists March 4 Elephants, have taken to the streets in San Francisco to protest the widespread poaching.

Chief of the IUCN Inger Anderson said the staggering figures show "the truly alarming plight of the majestic elephant."

"It is shocking but not surprising that poaching has taken such a dramatic toll on this iconic species," she said.

The growing demand for ivory is being largely driven by developing Asian economies, where it is considered a coveted commodity used in carving and ornamental accessories.

Sue Lieberman from the Wildlife Conservation Society insists that illegal international ivory trading and legal domestic ivory markets need to be closed down.

"We've reached the point that if we want there to be elephants, ivory's out."

It seems only fitting to leave you with an extremely poignant (and slightly depressing) GIF from the Simpsons featuring Stampy, the elephant.

Photo: Giphy, iStock