Near 20,000 elephants die each year due to ivory smuggling, averaging about 54 deaths daily. This figure was highlighted by WWF during World Elephant Day celebrations on Friday, August 12. Spain is noted as a major gateway for illegal ivory into Europe, underscoring the global reach of this crisis.
Although elephants can live up to 60 years in the wild, experts warn that human greed is driving a species toward extinction. If decisive action is not taken, we risk losing elephants forever.
By some measures, about 90 percent of forest elephants are classified as critically endangered, and 60 percent of savanna elephants have disappeared over the last fifty years. These losses highlight a stark decline in elephant populations across their habitats.
Elephant specimens have long fascinated researchers and conservationists. The ongoing slaughter for tusks imperils populations worldwide. The debate over habitat loss due to agriculture, livestock, and deforestation compounds the peril they face.
For six decades, WWF has worked to shield elephant populations by establishing reserves, ecological corridors, GPS collars, and camera networks to monitor movements and understand needs. Guardians trained in anti-poaching efforts collaborate with governments to curb trafficking and to reduce demand for ivory, including measures like public education and enforcement against illegal markets.
Despite these efforts, illegal markets persist, and vigilance remains essential. The fight against illicit ivory trade requires sustained action across multiple fronts, from law enforcement to community engagement.
There are still significant illegal markets to shut down, and progress will take time. Continued monitoring, stronger penalties, and coordinated international cooperation are crucial to turning the tide against wildlife crime.
Spain has been identified as a gateway to Europe for illegal ivory due to its strategic location between Africa and Asia. Local authorities are urged to bolster detection, follow-up, training, and prevention to disrupt trafficking networks and protect wildlife. The illegal trade operates through criminal networks that may finance broader illicit activities, underscoring the need for comprehensive enforcement and collaboration across borders. Current initiatives include European partnerships aimed at educating those fighting environmental crime and enhancing cross-border cooperation. Officials emphasize that ongoing efforts must tighten criminal penalties and close remaining markets to reduce demand.
Global data from international bodies show poaching impacts across Africa. In the 2010–2018 period, UNODC reported tens of thousands of elephants killed in different regions, underscoring a persistent threat. Monitoring programs have tracked carcasses and poaching trends across numerous range states, showing that illegal killings are a continuing challenge, though some regions show signs of improvement with intensified protections.
Experts note that decisions within international frameworks, such as CITES, can be complex, with certain trade restrictions and allowances varying by country and context. In some places, trophy hunting or legal trade for non-commercial purposes can coexist with conservation goals, but those policies must be carefully managed to avoid undermining wild populations. The overall message is clear: protecting elephants in the wild requires relentless commitment and a broad, sustained strategy spanning policy, enforcement, habitat protection, and community engagement. Organizations emphasize the need to finish the ivory trade and safeguard elephants for future generations. Continued collaboration among nations and within European and international bodies remains essential. The collective goal is to secure healthier populations, safeguard habitats, and enforce laws that deter illegal wildlife crime.
For those seeking more information, conservation authorities and wildlife organizations encourage informed action and responsible choices that reduce demand for ivory and support habitat protection and anti-poaching initiatives. This ongoing effort is vital for the survival of elephants in their natural homes.
Environment department contact details are not provided here. Please refer to official government and conservation sources for the most current guidance and resources to support elephant conservation efforts.