There are two species of elephants, African and Asian, and while they are similar in physiology, they are too biologically different to interbreed.

Recent scientific findings suggest that the forest-dwelling African elephant is a genetically distinct species, making it a third elephant species.

The Asian elephant is endangered with less than 43,000 remaining worldwide.

The African elephant (Forest and Savannah) is threatened with less than 400,000 remaining worldwide.

In 1989 CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species) issued an international ban on the ivory trade.

2011 saw the highest number of illegal ivory seizures recorded in the last 23 years

The street value of a single tusk is approximately US$15,000

The main market for illegal ivory is China

Tusks are found in African elephants of both sexes while only in Asian males.

An African bull’s tusks can grow to over 11 feet long and weigh 220 pounds