murdered elephant produces 22 pounds of ivory . The calculation is that in one year over 31,500 elephants are illegally killed and the number is increasing . 2011 saw the highest volume of illegal ivory seized since global records began in 1989 so this problem has not been fixed by the Japan Experiment and legalizing ivory trade . Even though tusks are supposed to be an elephant ' s weapon for protection , in the ivory trade it is why they are murdered .
A rhino being safely dehorned to protect it from poachers .