This is an issue that has been subsided in East Africa but still exists in West Africa. It is very common in Cameroon, Congo, Chad and Gabon. This is shocking with the exceeding amounts of elephants slaughtered 12,000 elephants including 33 pregnant elephants in Chad!!

The worst news is that these innocent killings of elephants is indirectly fueling rebel groups! The ivory is illegally smuggled and sold in countries abroad (Mostly Asian countries). The money gotten from this is used to clear land, evict innocent people, kill more elephants and build an army with increased expenditure in firearms!

In light of this issue, Cameroon had upgraded its security measures and together with WWF try and fight the war against illegal poaching and ivory trade. However, this is not an easy battle with the high level of corruption and due to the fact that ivory goods are easily sold in Asian countries.

Next time you see an ivory based products, stop and think! Please don't buy it because if you purchase it, not only are you playing a role leading to the extinction of the African Elephant but you are also giving money to rebel groups to continue their war against the government, terrorize regions and made innocent kills.