The major threat facing the elephant today is habit loss from the exploding human population that brings humans into direct conflict with elephants, this, and the ongoing demand for ivory poaching puts the future of elephants in jeopardy.

Before the human population explosion elephants roamed freely over the African and Indian plains and forests for centuries. An elephant eats up to 200 pounds of vegetation a day and in the process damage 1000s of pounds more, they need extensive grazing areas or the vegetation in any confined space would soon deteriorate to the point of no return. Due to human encroachment into the elephants habitat this is exactly what is happening on a large scale. The resulting competition between humans and elephants for these grazing areas results in a large number of elephants been shot as there is no effect way to stop a determined elephant from reaching what it wants, fences and walls are simply pushed aside. Electric fencing has been implemented in some game reserves with some success but the cost of doing this on any large scale is impractical.

Although selling and trading of ivory has been internationally banned until 2016 there is still a large black market that flourishes, especially in the East. These huge magnificent animals are mercilessly killed by any means and the bodies discarded for a few pounds of ivory. Because the older larger elephants have the biggest tusks they are the prime targets which means the matriarchs are the first to be killed leaving behind the juveniles to fend and raise themselves without the guidance of the older elephants knowledge that has taken up to 50 years to accumulate. The result is generations of juvenile delinquents that do not have discipline enforced on them by the elderly nor is that valuable knowledge passed on.

Another reason elephants are killed is for their hide and hair but not to the extent for their ivory. These items are turned into luxury goods and jewellery

Hunting of elephants for sport, where these magnificent animals are shot for fun, is another major threat that elephants face. Elephants are still been captured to be used in circuses, tourist sports and to be used as work animals even although this practice has been deemed illegal the world over, these elephants are usually maltreated and do not live long lives.

The major threat facing the elephant today is habit loss from the exploding human population that brings humans into direct conflict with elephants, this, and the ongoing demand for ivory poaching puts the future of elephants in jeopardy.

About the Author
Andrew Keet lives close to the Addo Elephant Park in South Africa and sends much of his time watching and studying the Elephants and is concerned about the threats to elephants in our world today.