Non Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Non - Essay Example 3). This follows a finding that showed that most elephant tusks from African countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe find their way into China, where the market for elephant tusks is booming. The increase in poaching for elephant tusks threatens the existence of this important species. In fact, environmentalists have warned that elephants could soon become extinct if something is not done to arrest the situation. Kahumbu reports that Africa had about 1,000,000 elephants in 1980 (par. 4). However, this number has since reduced to less than 400,000 elephants. Africa reportedly loses about 100 wild elephants every day to poachers seeking tusks. Zimbabwe and Kenya are among the African are among the worst hit countries that faces a serious reduction in the number of wild elephants due to increased poaching. Zimbabwe recently lost more than 300 elephants due to increased poaching in the country (Thornycroft and Laing 9). Zimbabwe ha the largest number of elephant population in the world today. This is after its elephants from its neighboring countries in East and Central Africa have been killed by poachers. However, this number is reducing at an alarming rate and the Zimbabwean authorities are concerned by the rate of increased poaching in the country. Kenya is another African country that has one of the highest elephant populations in the world (Kemei 6). ... Most of these elephants were found killed and their tusks chopped off and sold in the black market. Thorneycroft and Laing observed that Africa lost at least 17,000 elephants in 2011 (9). These elephants were killed and their tusks chopped off and sold in the international market. They noted that ivory is prized as a ’white gold’ in Asian countries such as China, where the growing middle class is seeking safe investments. The report also found that the trade in illegal ivory has more than doubles since 2007. The problem of poaching of elephants for tusks is real and something needs to be done to arrest the poaching menace. A variety of proposals has arisen as being the best strategy of dealing with the elephant poaching menace. In this regard, some people have proposed that all wild elephants should have their tusks cut off to prevent poaching. This proposal has generated a lot of controversy and dilemma among environmentalists and wildlife conservationists. Those in su pport of this view argue that by cutting off all the tusks of elephants, poachers will not be motivated to kill elephants, as there would be no tusks to sell in the black market (Thornycroft and Laing 9). Some also argue that cutting off all elephant tusks will force people trading in ivory in Asia to close down their businesses and venture into other activities. However, as much as the world, especially the affected countries are in dire need of preventing poaching, I totally disagree with the suggestion of cutting off the tusks of all wild elephants. Ethically, this is not right before God. I believe that God created the tasks for a reason. Therefore, as man, it is not ethical for us to cut off the tusks of elephants since tasks help elephants in performing a number of duties.