Elephants in the Dust

Book excerpt: The African elephant, the largest remaining land mammal on the planet, is facing the greatest crisis in decades. Reports of mass elephant killings in the media vividly illustrate the situation across many African elephant range States. This Rapid Response Assessment provides an overview of the current state of the African elephant alongside recommendations for action to ensure its protection. The report provides clear evidence that adequate human and financial resources, the sharing of know-how, raising public awareness in consumer countries, and strong law enforcement must all be in place if we are to curb the disturbing rise in poaching and illegal trade. The International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) will play an increasingly important role in supporting range States, transit and consumer countries in tackling transnational organized criminal networks and in some cases rebel militia.