What international agreement, established in 1989, aimed to protect elephants?

An international ban on the global ivory trade.

What is the primary driver behind the increased demand for ivory, particularly in China?

The rise of China’s middle class.

One-third of an elephant's tusks are in its skull which contains a pulpy cavity of tissues, blood vessels, and nerves.

Decades of heavy poaching have made the tuskless trait more common.

Grade 8th Grade · Social Studies · 45 min

I can analyze the causes and consequences of the ivory trade in Africa.

Vox · 5:22

How poaching is changing the face of African elephants

3 key concepts

1
During the 1500s, approximately 26 million elephants roamed Africa, but today there are fewer than 500,000.
2
The demand for ivory in China, where it is sold for around $1100 per kilogram, has increased due to the rise of the middle class.
3
Due to poaching, there's an increasing trend of elephants being born tuskless, as this trait provides a survival advantage.

10 questions · Multiple choice & Short answer

Quick comprehension check

“Describe two causes of the ivory trade in Africa and one consequence of the ivory trade on elephant populations.”

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