Target: Dr. Richard Ruggiero, Chief of the Division of International Conservation at US Fish and Wildlife Service
Goal: Praise continued conservation efforts that have cut elephant poaching in half.
African elephants are less likely to be poached, thanks to unrelenting conservation efforts and research. Various local and international programs have taken shape in the last six years, making poaching a less attractive option for financial success. Praise the efforts that are saving this vulnerable species.
African elephants once faced near-extinction due to poaching. A high international demand for their ivory tusks, along with continued political unrest in the region, created the perfect sociological recipe for a poaching empire. At the highest point, 100,000 elephants were poached per year. This incited concern amongst animal conservation activists and resulted in petitions, such as this one.
Now, thanks to national and international conservation efforts, poaching numbers have been cut in half and the elephants are beginning to recover. Local residents are economically and personally empowered to keep the animals alive; some former poachers have even been converted into animal guardians.
While the complete eradication of poaching is still far off, this is an important step in the right direction. Sign below to thank the US Fish and Wildlife Service for its continued support of these conservation programs.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Dr. Ruggiero,
Your continued efforts to support international conservation programs have benefited many endangered and vulnerable species. Most recently, the African elephant population has begun to grow in numbers due to a dramatic downturn in poaching. I want to thank you for your dedication to this vulnerable species.
Over the last six years, the poaching of African elephants has been cut in half. This is all thanks to local and international conservation efforts that both empower the African people and devalue ivory, a once expensive and highly-demanded commodity. The programs are educating the public on the importance of saving this species and even giving them jobs in the conservation effort. This has awarded the elephants a much-needed break, during which their numbers have increased to about 415,000. While this doesn’t ensure their survival, it is a positive trend.
Thank you for supporting and backing these international conservation efforts. You’ve given a struggling species a chance.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: ajoheyho
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