Scaling up Africa’s elephant economy
Introduction
African elephants have provided valuable products that have been traded across the
world for thousands of years. As recently as the 1980s, elephant products such as
ivory, hides, and meat were routinely traded in countries such as Kenya, South Africa,
and Zimbabwe. Small businesses in Bulawayo made wallets and briefcases. Curio
shops in Victoria Falls sold ivory jewellery and ornaments. Elephant meat harvested
in South Africa was sold to tourists and provided to local communities. These small
businesses and the jobs and taxes they paid are now gone. Elephants are more
abundant today in several African countries, yet we see continued resistance to using
elephant products. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE