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    ELEPHANT POACHING

    Elephants have long been prized for their valuable ivory tusks, and the ivory trade powers the economies of many countries even today. Though spreading awareness of the problem led to a dip in elephant poaching during the 1990s, the practice has taken an alarming upswing over the past few years. Demand is growing in many Asian countries with quickly developing economies and growing wealth, and the struggling African countries that supply the ivory can’t resist the chance to make huge profits. Therefore, elephant poaching is on the rise again. In fact, 2011 was the worst year in history for elephant poaching. The result is that elephants are more in danger of extinction now than ever before. (The Atlantic)