Thais struggle to live with wild elephants

Elephants are not always peaceful giants! Overpopulation could also be an issue.

Famous Elephant Satao Was Killed By Poachers

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News of the day, see e.g. here.

Farm Elephants

When will finally trade in tusks of  farmed elephants be allowed?

Prohibition - Lessons Of History Ignored

Absolute prohibition is stupid and it is certainly not helping the elephants in the wilderness. I believe, NPR reported this morning (6/16/2014) that over 20,000 or 30,000 thousand elephants were killed last year.

Previous, Related Blog Posts

See here.

What Little Humans Know About Elephants!

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Just read article titled “The Science Is In: Elephants Are Even Smarter Than We Realized ”. Elephants scientists now figured out are much more smarter and empathetic than thought before.

Read the article! It is amazing stuff!

The Human Centric Viewpoint Got In The Way

Why was the intelligence of elephants underestimated for so long, scientists applied experiments suitable for humans or primates instead of investigating the natural strengths of the elephant.

Legalize The Sale Of Ivory

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I have recently read a few articles that suggested doing this. I hope to add references/links to these articles later.

Current System Of Prohibition

Strict prohibition of any hunting or sale of ivory from elephants or rhinoceros etc. has been the predominant approach to the conservation of ivory. Or is it the sale of mammoth tusks from Siberia?

Has this regime stopped poaching or sale of ivory? No!

Has it significantly reduced poaching? Doubtful!

Please do not get me wrong! Poaching should remain a despicable crime. Poachers and their enablers should be punished harshly.

Pros

As they say when you cannot beat them join them! :-)

The legalization of ivory sales would have a number of benefits:

1. Reduction in the price of ivory, thus reducing the incentive for poachers etc.
2. Husbandry and care of any species that grow ivory for commercial purposes
3. More research of ivory growing species
4. More animals available for entertainment etc.
5. More protection for ivory growing species in the wild and in parks