The Ivory Trade

In spite of the 1989 CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) ban on ivory collection, illegal hunting of elephants for their tusks has continued unabated in parts of Africa.

The resumption of trade in elephant ivory by several countries, including South Africa, Japan and China, has increased the threat to elephants.

Poaching is on the increase in Kenya due to the illegal harvesting of ivory.

Farming

Destruction of natural savanna vegetation due to bush clearing and plowing is the most significant cause of elephant habitat loss.

Disturbance from slash-and-burn cultivation in tropical forests leads to lower elephant population densities.

Conflict over resources and access to land increases between elephants and humans as settlements develop around permanent water sources.

"Patchwork" development—where farms are distributed as "islands"—fragments elephant habitat.

Domestic Livestock

Large numbers of grazing cattle and other livestock compete with elephants for water and vegetation.

Heavy grazing by livestock depletes bush cover.

Logging and the Bushmeat market

Logging affects elephants directly, through habitat loss, and indirectly, through the disturbing influence of forestry operations.

Logging roads and farmland penetrating into once inaccessible areas have made the elephant more vulnerable to poaching for the bushmeat trade.

Though consuming elephant meat is considered "taboo" in many parts of its range, it is very popular in much of Central and West Africa.