Ivory is a precious resource that is widely used in crafts, jewelry, and ornaments due to its unique texture and color. However, access to ivory has been a hotly debated topic. Many people believe that since elephants are dead, it won't hurt them to get ivory from them, so why can't they be taken from elephants that have died of old age?
First, we need to understand the life cycle of an elephant. Elephants are long-lived animals, and they can live for more than 70 years. However, even in the wild, elephants can die for a variety of reasons. When elephants die, their bodies gradually decompose, and the tusks gradually lose their luster and texture over time. Therefore, the quality of ivory obtained from old and dead elephants is not necessarily of the highest quality.
Second, from a moral and ethical point of view, even if an elephant has died, we should still respect their life and dignity. Before acquiring any resources, we should consider whether this behavior will cause harm to other living beings. Harvesting ivory from old dead elephants means using their carcass, which is not only a desecration of their lives, but also a violation of their dignity.
In addition, from a legal point of view, many countries and regions prohibit the harvesting of ivory from wild animals. This is because wild animals are protected species, and any use of their body parts requires permission from the relevant authorities. Even elephants that have died need to be given the appropriate permission to obtain their tusks. Without legal permission, it is illegal to obtain ivory from dead elephants.
Finally, from the perspective of elephant conservation, we should minimize the disturbance and utilization of them as much as possible. While harvesting ivory from dead elephants does not harm them, it can have a negative impact on other elephants. When elephants die, their bodies and tusks remain in place and become prey for other animals. If humans frequently interfere with and use the carcasses of these elephants, it will destroy their ecological environment and ecosystem balance.
In summary, while harvesting ivory from dead elephants may seem like a viable practice, there are a number of problems with this practice. We should minimize the disturbance and use of elephants as much as possible to protect their lives and dignity. At the same time, we should actively promote actions to protect elephants and other wildlife and allow them to live freely in their natural environment.