We know that elephant populations are collapsing at a frightening rate and that the driving forces behind this collapse are a global appetite for ivory and, just as worryingly, human/elephant conflict for space and resources.
Earlier this year, the world’s governments agreed to recommend the closure of domestic ivory markets. This is a serious step towards the eventual complete shutting down of the ivory trade, but now new questions are arising:
How do governments go about shutting down the legal ivory market?
Fighting an illegal ivory market could be even harder. How do we strengthen forces against the black market?
As human populations move into elephant territory, human/elephant conflict is a real and growing problem that may even come to dwarf the ivory trade. Can we avoid these conflicts? What works in terms of supporting local communities? What works in terms of preserving elephant territory?
This is a global challenge, but with different challenges for every region. What are the specific challenges for your region?
We have convened a panel of the experts to answer these questions, and more. The discussion will take place in the comments thread, and we will post highlights in the live blog as it proceeds. If you would like to ask a question email [email protected]
Andrea Crosta, Elephant Action League, United States, @ElephantLeague
John Kasaona, Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation, Namibia, @kasaona2
Dan Stiles, independent consultant, Kenya, @Kenyadan10
Frank Pope, Save the Elephant, Kenya, @Papafranco
Masayuki Sakamoto, Japan Elephant and Tiger Fund, Japan
Monica Wrobel, Elephant Family, United Kingdom, @elephantfamily
Isabel Hilton, China Dialogue, China, @isabelhilton