End appetite for ivory

Africa's elephant population is plummeting, and the world's appetite for their tusks is almost certainly why. Governments have not done enough to shut down the demand for and supply of ivory. They must be bolder.

Conservationists last week got a clear view of how bad the problem really is, with the release of comprehensive, reliable numbers across a wide range of African countries. The "Great Elephant Census" surveyed 18 countries by plane and helicopter, finding that the continent has only some 352,000 savanna elephants left, lower than previous estimates indicated.

The savanna elephant population is declining by 8 percent a year and dropped by 144,000 between 2007 and 2014. Most elephants live in preserves, which offer crucial protection in some countries.

The story is not uniform across the continent. Some countries have stable or even rising elephant populations, in part reflecting successful anti-poaching efforts.

Countries, particularly those with major ivory demand, should shut down all ivory markets. The U.S. government took a large step in that direction this year. The Chinese government promised it would do so soon. Others, such as the Japanese, must follow, and quickly. African nations, meanwhile, must police their protected areas more aggressively — otherwise, they may soon find they have traded in their natural heritage for a quick, illegal buck.

This story was originally published September 7, 2016 at 8:58 PM with the headline "End appetite for ivory."