A recent study has predicted that more male Asian elephants in China will be born without tusks because the ruthless poaching of tusked elephants is reducing the gene pool. This study was conducted in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China 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.
