Elephants have existed on this planet for millions of years and only two species remain—the African and the Asian elephant.  Now, the world?s largest terrestrial animals are being threatened due to international demand for their tusks. 

African elephants are currently found in 37 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Once reaching 1.3 million African elephants in 1979, there are only an estimated 500,000 - 700,000 left in the world, as a result of the ivory trade.

Asian elephants are found primarily in large parts of India, Sri Lanka, Indochina peninsula, and parts of Indonesia. There are fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants left in the world. 

Elephants are killed for their ivory, which is used for crafts, such as carvings, ornaments, combs, jewelry, and chopsticks. Diminishing elephant populations, public outrag,e and fear for the survival of elephants led to an international ivory trade ban in 1989. However, due to the combination of various loopholes and black market trading, the ivory trade is still thriving and threatening our elephant population.  In 2011, CITES reported at least 25,000 African elephants were killed. 

In 2012, poaching and illegal ivory seizures reached record highs since the international ban in 1989.