Elephant populations were around 1.3 million in 1979 but the value of ivory led to declines to 600,000 in 1989. The 1989 ban on the international trade of elephant ivory has since been strictly enforced, with confiscated illegal ivory ending up as crushed waste or burnt ash. (these can be worth up to $4.4b).
The decline slowed, with populations around 322,000 in 2002, but it has not stabilised. They declined to only 100,000 in 2011 (PLOS ONE).
The practice of destroying a coveted commodity (ivory) creates the perception that remaining ivory is more valuable. This drives poachers to kill more elephants for their tusks.
Instead of destroying the ivory, it should be sold in separate global auctions to raise money for conservation efforts of the endangered species. Destroying the ivory is a waste and the message it sends will be lost on the people who are responsible for conducting the ivory trade.
Governments should be working with the UN and CITES to implement strategic conservation plans and ensure management remains honest and all funding is well-spent.
Special focus should be made to employ local people for grounds-work (rangers, planters, veterinarians etc) which would provide economic incentive for people to enforce protection of these endangered species hunted for ivory, fur, meat etc.
