Elephants are a keystone species and play a pivotal role in shaping the forests and savannas in which they live. Knowing the importance of elephants, an international group of scientists conducted a census to estimate the number of African elephants. The Great Elephant Census data were released in August 2016, and unfortunately, the results reveal that African elephant populations have decreased by 30% in just the past seven years. Why do you think the number of elephants is declining?

Answer: Poaching is the main reasons behind elephant population decline

Explanation:

Although there are many factors that has brought about a reduction in African elephant population, such as loss of habitat and conflict with humans. But the main reason behind their population decline is poaching for ivory tusks, as confirmed by the researchers of the Great Elephant Census. The increase in demand for ivory in the Asian markets is the main reason. Ten and thousands of elephants are killed every year for their ivory tusks. The ivory is carved into ornaments and jewellery and sold in the market.

Biodiversity

Explanation:

The reduction in the number of African elephant by 30% is called biodiversity.

Biodiversity is the reduction of a particular specie of animal. This is been facilitated by natural cause or man made cause. Of such natural cause include illness and diseases, while the man made cause involves the harvesting of specific features of the animals.

In African majority of such decline can be attributed to man made factor because the African elephant trunks, hide and meat are been harvested and sold for high money value.