Poaching Could Wipe Out 20% of African Elephants in a Decade: Report

"JOHANNESBURG — As many as 20 percent of Africa's elephants could be killed in the next 10 years if illegal poaching continues at the current rate, according to new data released Monday at the opening of the Elephant Summit in Botswana."

"An estimated 22,000 elephants were illegally killed across Africa in 2012, slightly lower than the 25,000 elephants poached in 2011, according to a report by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES.

The elephant killings took place at 42 sites across 27 Africa countries, said the CITES report."

Ray Faure reports for the Associated Press December 2, 2013.

SEE ALSO:

"African Elephant Numbers 'Could Fall By One-Fifth' Due To Poaching" (Guardian)