Ivory is big business, and in some parts of Africa elephants have been hunted almost to extinction in the quest for it. The losses to African economies have been catastrophic. Now there is an international ban on the trade and conservation is. the principal goal. This should be a matter for rejoicing, but nothing is quite so simple. The authors of this book have looked at the overall statistics, including those for countries where the elephant population is stable. They have considered the multiplicity of economic and social functions fulfilled by ensuring that elephant herds survive, tourism, a variety of ecological purpose. and, finally, as a source of ivory. They show how the careful management of elephants as a resource can best serve African interests. This book is at the cutting edge of economic thinking and provides a model for the consideration of the difficult relationship between people and wildlife. Originally published in 19990

List of TablesList of FiguresList of Acronyms and AbbreviationsPrefaceAcknowledgements1. Elephants in DeclineIntroductionThe Decline of the African ElephantThe Role of the Ivory TradeThe Economics of the Decline in Elephant PopulationsFurther Issues in the Decline of Elephant PopulationsEconomic Incentives for ConservationCurrent SituationAppendix 1.1: A bioeconomic Model of Elephant Decline2. African Exports: Quantity and ValueIntroductionBackground to Africa's Ivory TradeEstimating African Ivory Exports: 1950-88The Value of African Ivory Exports: 1979-88Intra-Africa Trade and the African Carving IndustryAppendix 2.1: An approach to Estimating African Ivory Exports, 1950-88Appendix 2.2: Estimating the Value of African Ivory Exports, 1979-883. The Ivory Trade Flow: Worked and UnworkedIntermediate and Final DemandDifficulties in Tracing Ivory Trade FlowsTrade Flows and Final Demand: Hong Kong and JapanTrade Flows and Final Demand: EuropeTrade Flows and Final Demand: USATrade Flows and Final Demand: ChinaTrade Flows and FinalTrade Flows and FinalConclusionAppendix 3.1: Worked4. Demand Analysis: JIntroductionJapan analysisHong Kong analysisConclusionAppendix 4.1: The RawAppendix 4.2: The RawDemand: IndiaDemand: other CountriesIvory Trade DatabaseJapan and Hong KongIvory Demand Model: JapanIvory Demand Model: Hong Kong5. Policies for the Regulation of the Ivory TradeIntroductionRegulation in the Range StatesPrevious Attempts at International RegulationInternational Regulation and the African ElephantAlternative Mechanisms for International RegulationConclusion6. Looking to the Future: Policy Options to Save the ElephantCurrent Cites Regulation: The Appendix I ListingThe Impact of an Ivory Trade BanA Proposal for the International Regulation of the TradeDomestic Reform: the Importance of Local OwnershipConclusion: The Future of the African ElephantIndex