Did you know that…
* Yesterday, August 12 was observed as World Elephant Day?
* There are two species of elephants — African and Asian — and while they are similar in physiology, they are too biologically different to interbreed?
* Recent scientific findings suggest that the forest-dwelling African elephant is a genetically distinct species, which would make it a third elephant species?
* The Asian elephant is endangered, with less than 40,000 remaining worldwide?
* The African elephant (Forest and Savannah) is threatened, with less than 400,000 remaining worldwide?
* In 1989, CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) issued an international ban on the ivory trade?
* 2013 saw the greatest quantity of ivory confiscated in the last
25 years?
* The street value of a single tusk is approximately US$15,000?
* The main market for illegal ivory is China, where a single tusk can fetch US$100,000-US$200,000?
* Tusks are found in African elephants of both sexes, while only in Asian males?
* An African bull’s tusks can grow to over 11 feet long and weigh 220 pounds?
