Tackling poverty could reduce elephant poaching and boost conservation
Poaching of African elephants has dropped since 2011, according to research published in the journal Nature Communications. This is largely due to China’s reduced demand for ivory, but the variation in their numbers is also associated with levels of poverty and corruption.
Therefore, while enforcing anti-poaching laws will help curb elephant slaughter, the researchers suggest that an extensive socioeconomic strategy to improve livelihoods and awareness around protected areas could be more effective.
Published by Forbes.
