Protect the elephants – UConn Daily Campus
Posted: October 27, 2021 at 1:44 am
Elephants, which typically have tusks, are often hunted for the valuable ivory that their tusks are made of. Due to this poaching, elephants which are born without tusks have a higher chance of living and mating, causing an evolutionary trend towards naturally tuskless elephants. Photo byMagda EhlersfromPexels.
Recentlywhile procrastinating homework and scrolling through Instagram, I came across a picture of an elephant, to which my first response was,oh, cute! Then I read the associated caption,which talked about how,due toexcessive poaching,many African elephantsareevolvingto be born without tusksalsoknown asnaturally tuskless.
This is horrifying to think about on multiple levels. Although this change in the genetics ofelephantsmay seembeneficial to thematfirst glancebecauseit puts them at a lower risk of being hunted,thereis amuchdeeper issue.This isaharmfulmutation in their genetics that is lethal to male elephants,and is thus likely to have long term effects on the African elephant population.
Normally, both male and female African elephants are born with tusksmade of ivory, and thus valued by poachers. When these elephantsare huntedfor their ivory, they are oftenunable to pass down their genesto future generations, making it more likelyfortuskless elephantstopass downtheirgenes.
This has its own problems, genetically speaking. When female elephants are born tuskless, there is a variation on one of their two X chromosomesthatgives maleoffspringa50/50 chancetoinherit this variation. Male elephants that receive this mutated X chromosomeareunable to survive.Although this genetic variation maybe helpfulforfemale elephants astudyshowed that over a 28-year period,female tuskless elephants were five times more likely to survive than female elephants with tusks itislethalto the male elephant population.
Poaching elephants for their ivory is horribleandhas greatconsequences for their speciesand the environment around them. Despite the1989 ban on the international ivory trade, as of 2015,35,000 and 50,000 African elephantswerereportedbeing poached yearly. As of March2021, itwas estimatedthatonly 415,000 elephantsremainon the entire continent of Africa.Thespecies is endangered, with the most prominent cause being poaching for ivory.Thisissuecannot be takenlightly.
On the black market, a pound of ivory costs about$1,500 per pound, with tusks from male elephants weighing about 250 pounds each. Therefore, the monetary value of ivory drives many of these poachers, regardless of the risks and detrimental effects.
Elephant poaching has immense effects on the ecosystem and theenvironment as a whole.Elephant manure, for example, helps fertilize soilthat helpsplant crops,and elephants play large parts inseed dispersalas well. When elephantsare poachedto the degree that they have been throughout history, it compromises their own population as well as the surrounding ecosystem, including the lives of many humans.
The importance of elephants in the environment and the greater ecosystemmust be understoodand widely known. Poaching has gone too far, endangering the elephants themselves as well as the environment around them, which includes other animals and humans.
In order to ensure that elephantsare not poachedfor ivory, other measures must be taken. For example,synthetic ivorycould have immense benefits to elephant populations and theenvironment as a whole. However, this would require immense research and funding to ensurethe synthetic ivory is similar enough to real ivory and so that its prices are affordable enoughtodiscouragepeoplefrom poaching.
There should be more research, time, effort and funding putinto thisissuetoprotect elephants andto ceasepoachingaltogether. The consequences ofnot doing so are far too great for elephants and for thegreater environment.
Read the rest here:
Protect the elephants - UConn Daily Campus
- HitXP Science of Genetics behind the Hindu Gotra System ... [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- Size Genetics - Male Enhancement Reviews [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- Male Infertility | Genetic Abnormalities or Male ... [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- Male infertility - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- Androgenic alopecia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2015]
- Difference Between Male and Female BirdsGenetics and ... [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2015]
- URNotAlone Profile for Lynda Flores, Genetic Male Straight ... [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2015]
- Understanding Genetics [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2015]
- Male - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2015]
- WHO | Gender and Genetics [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2015]
- The Genetics of Male Infertility - The Turek Clinic [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2015]
- Male Hair Loss All You Need To Know - The Belgravia Centre [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2015]
- Male-pattern hair loss - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 1st, 2015]
- Genetics - biology [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2015]
- Are People Born Gay? Genetics and Homosexuality [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2015]
- Hormone and genetic study in male to female transsexual ... [Last Updated On: September 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 21st, 2015]
- Cloning Myths - Learn Genetics [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2015]
- Sensorineural deafness and male infertility - Genetics ... [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2015]
- Workable male sterility systems for hybrid rice: Genetics ... [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2015]
- Proband - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: October 26th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2015]
- Y chromosome - Genetics Home Reference [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2015]
- Genetics - NHS Choices [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2015]
- Genetics / Does the male or female carrier the gene for twins. [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2016]
- The Genetics of Balding | Understanding Genetics [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2016]
- Male Infertility - Genetics & IVF Institute [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2016]
- Scientist Explains the Genetics of Male Pattern Baldness [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Definitions for Terms in Genetics Problems [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2016]
- Genetics of human male infertility. [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2016]
- BEHAVIORAL GENETICS: THE SCIENCE OF ... - PubMed Central (PMC) [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2016]
- Review of the Status of Aquaculture Genetics [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2016]
- Genetics of Skin Cancer (PDQ)Health Professional Version [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2016]
- Genetics of Prostate Cancer (PDQ)Health Professional ... [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2016]
- Genetics of Breast and Gynecologic Cancers (PDQ)Health ... [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2016]
- Evolution - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2016]
- Human - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2016]
- Genetics - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- Beefalo - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 4th, 2016]
- Drosophila melanogaster - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2016]
- Breast CancerPatient Version - National Cancer Institute [Last Updated On: January 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 6th, 2017]
- Sex - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2017]
- The 44 Chromosome Man | Understanding Genetics [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2017]
- Binary thought suppresses identity - The Daily Evergreen [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Tortoiseshell cat - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Entrepreneurship Is Genetic, And South Africa Is The Ideal Environment For Young Entrepreneurs To Thrive - Huffington Post South Africa (blog) [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Women in Data Science conference highlights female participation in male-dominated field - Daily Free Press (subscription) [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Male Contraceptives Have A Messy History And A Bright Future - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- The impact of RABL2B gene (rs144944885) on human male infertility in patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia ... - UroToday [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- More Than 200 Baldness-Linked Genetic Markers Found - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Can Your Anxiety Impact How Long You Last In Bed? - Men's Health [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Genetic data show mainly men migrated from the Pontic steppe to Europe 5000 years ago - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Men inherit male pattern baldness from their mum's side of the family ... - Metro [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Experts Are One Step Closer To Predicting A Man's Risk For Hair Loss - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Baldness linked to over 280 genes - BioNews [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Genetic basis for male baldness identified in large-scale study - Medical News Today [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Genetic data show mainly men migrated from the Pontic steppe to ... - Science Daily [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Thousands of horsemen may have swept into Bronze Age Europe, transforming the local population - Science Magazine [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Cohen wins Gates grant for her new take on male contraception - Cornell Chronicle [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2017]
- A Florida higher-ed official said women's genetics may be keeping ... - Washington Post [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2017]
- Florida higher education official said women may earn less than men because of genetics - New York Daily News [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2017]
- Twins Separated at Birth Reveal Staggering Influence of ... [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2017]
- Scientific studies favor male miceand that could hurt a lot of humans - Popular Science [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2017]
- So Cal mountain lions' low genetic diversity threatens population - Davis Enterprise [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2017]
- Horse Tale: Oriental Stallions Dominate Horse DNA, Gene Study Shows - NBCNews.com [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2017]
- sex chromosome | genetics | Britannica.com [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2017]
- The problematics of genetics and the Aryan issue - The Hindu [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2017]
- Scientists arming new weapon against dengue, malaria mosquitoes - The Indian Express [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2017]
- Fertility and Genetics - Affordable High Quality Fertility ... [Last Updated On: July 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2017]
- Aryan Invasion May Have Transformed India's Bronze-Age Population - Live Science [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2017]
- How Masculinity Can Be Bad For Men's Health - WUNC [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2017]
- Nilgiris pale tiger an 'aberrant genetic mutation' - The Hindu [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2017]
- Evolution and war: The 'deep roots' theory of human violence - Genetic Literacy Project [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2017]
- Hair loss in men: THIS shower habit could be why you're going bald - Express.co.uk [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2017]
- Don't Blame Your Mom's Dad for Male Pattern Baldness - Inverse [Last Updated On: July 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 13th, 2017]
- Falling sperm counts are linked to endocrine-disrupting chemicals - MinnPost [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2017]
- Should genetic engineering be used as a tool for conservation? - chinadialogue [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2017]
- Trinity Researchers Lead Analysis of Portugal and Spain's Genetic History - The University Times [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2017]
- Williams Professor Wins Grants to Study Evolutionary Genetics - iBerkshires.com [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2017]
- History News of the Week: The Biblical Canaanites' Modern Descendants - New Historian [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2017]
- When the male fruit fly gets a headache - Haaretz [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2017]
- Genetics LadyFrontbum [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2017]