Wild African elephants could be extinct in a few decades
 
 
A new report presented at the Africa Elephant Summit in Bostwana warns that African elephants in the wild could be extinct in just a few decades. Wild elephant populations are rapidly declining because of poaching, which fuels the illegal market for ivory.
Experts from about 20 countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia attended the conservation summit, AFP reports. One expert estimated that wild African elephants could be extinct in 10 to 20 years.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the African elephant population has decreased from 550,000 in 2006 to 470,000 in 2013.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
 
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.
- 
 The week’s best photos The week’s best photosIn Pictures A monstrous parade, a hungry tortoise, and more 
- 
 The Week Unwrapped: Should we be eating less fat – or more? The Week Unwrapped: Should we be eating less fat – or more?Podcast Plus who will benefit from the surprise Dutch election result? And how can art improve our health? 
- 
 AI models may be developing a ‘survival drive’ AI models may be developing a ‘survival drive’Under the radar Chatbots are refusing to shut down 
- 
 Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstancesSpeed Read 
- 
 Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2 Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2Speed Read 
- 
 'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor 'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governorSpeed Read 
- 
 Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditionsSpeed Read 
- 
 Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billionSpeed Read 
- 
 Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on recordSpeed Read 
- 
 Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homesSpeed Read 
- 
 Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creatureSpeed Read 
