More and more Asian elephants are being born without tusks

An up to date research has predicted which a lot more male Asian elephants in China will probably be born without having tusks because the ruthless poaching of tusked elephants is reducing the gene pool. This specific research has been conducted in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China exactly where two thirds of China’s Asian elephants roam, and found that the “tusklessness” amongst elephants is growing.

The tusk-free gene, which was found in 2-5 percent of male Asian elephants has increased to being found in 5-10% of these animals. This decrease is evidence of the poaching pressure for ivory on the animal. Human activity has resulted in elephants not only losing their tusks, but also their homes. In fact, poaching is the second threat against these animals, behind habitat loss.