Ivory varies in its composition in different parts of Africa. This is due to the varied diets eaten by elephants in the different regions as well as combinations of geology and soil composition. The population of African elephants has declined steadily over the years. In 1976 Africa was home to 1,300,000. In the early 2000s, there were fewer than 700,000. One example of a place trying to preserve elephants in the wild is the Kruger National Park, which contains most of South Africa's elephant population.
Following deep concerns about declining elephant populations, a meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species decided by a majority to ban trade in ivory. This decision became effective in January 1990. Since then, international trade in ivory has fallen sharply. However, some still takes place. Africa is the world's poorest continent with many people falling under the international definition of poverty, which is living off less than a dollar a day. The price for ivory is extremely high, especially since supplies were drastically cut following the ban. So the incentives to poach are high.
Along with the ban on the trade in ivory, enforcement measures were introduced. Some highly restricted legal selling of ivory was also allowed. These factors have combined to reduce the numbers of elephants that are being killed for their tusks. There are restricted areas where elephants are protected, and their numbers have increased. But the issue is not quite clear cut.
There is little incentive to care about elephants outside their parks. One argument put forward by countries such as Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda is that even the limited legal trade in ivory will continue to diminish their herds, which are generally not protected, due to poaching. South Africa, on the other hand, has well protected herds, and the proceeds from a controlled trade could be used for more conservation and a larger increase in numbers.
