From the blog A Voice for Elephants
This topic is something that I am extremely passionate about. Over 35,000 elephants have been killed last year; an astonishing number that I can’t help but cringe when I hear. The trading of ivory has increased substantially and while I agree with the Clinton’s and find it crucial that the U.S. sanctions the commercial sale of African elephant ivory in the United States, many other countries such as Indonesia, China and Africa continue to illegally poach elephants for international trade too. With that said, my hope is that the U.S will ban ivory trade, and that this law will become active internationally as well. Although I agree putting forth laws will decrease the amount of elephants killed, I believe along with these laws must come stronger and more disciplined law enforcement who will work to trace the illegal trade within the U.S. as well as in other countries where poachers and illegal trading markets consistently and discreetly find loopholes to continue the trade of large amounts of ivory to neighboring countries. It is beyond important that we do everything in our power to realize the importance of these powerful, intelligent and endangered species. We need to fight for their survival instead of passively standing by and watching elephants disappear right in front of our eyes. I full heartedly agree with the Clinton’s when they voice that this is an issue that cannot go ignored. Elephants will go extinct if we don’t tend to this issue immediately.