You will make a judgment about the morality of poaching elephants for ivory in Africa.
Here are the facts. The Great Elephant Consensus estimates that between, 410,000 - 650,000, elephants remain in the wild in Africa ("Resources," n.d.) But experts believe the number is likely closer to the 410,000 mark. A recent study found that elephants are being poached at a rate of 33,630 elephants per year, based on a three year population decline of 100,000 between 2010 and 2012 (Scriber, 2014). That means, on average, one elephant is being killed every fifteen minutes. If the current rates of poaching continue, elephants will likely be extinct in the African wild within the next ten to fifteen years. While there are several reasons for the decline, the primary driver is poaching, which escalated after CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) opened a loophole in the law that allowed illegal ivory to flood the global market. This was coupled with a growing middle class in China, which has a legal ivory carving trade. China is the largest consumer of ivory in the world, and the United States is the second largest retail market for ivory. (Several states have passed, or are in the process of banning ivory and rhino horn sales to help curb this demand). This increase in demand drives up the street value of ivory, now valued at about $1,500 per pound, which incentivizes poaching (The Week Staff, 2014). Poaching causes environmental damage. Elephants are a keystone species, which means their activities play a significant role in maintaining the health of their ecosystems. Their activities enable both flora and fauna to flourish. Poaching also causes economic damage. If elephants become extinct, then Africa will lose a significant source of income from tourism. Last, illegal poaching funds international crime and terrorism and destabilizes local governments (Bergenas & Medina, 2014).
Is it moral to poach elephants for ivory? Craft a forum post in which you do the following.
First, answer the question (Is it moral to poach elephants for ivory?) from two of the three normative theories covered this week. Be sure to make the moral logic explicit.
Second, assess the strengths and weaknesses of each position. Third, discuss your own viewpoint on the issue. How well does it align with the normative theories discussed in your readings?