Born Free USA commissioned C4ADS to write a report, “Ivory’s Curse: The Militarization and Professionalization of Poaching in Africa,” which suggests that virtually all of Africa’s violent conflicts are being fueled by the black market in ivory. It’s a vicious cycle: Elephants are killed to bankroll militias; well-funded militias destabilize nations; destabilized nations lose control of their territory and are unable to protect elephants. The killings accelerate until too few animals are left to hunt. Then, the poachers move on to fresh herds in new areas.
Link: Chicago Tribune