African Ivory

I found your April 7 story on South Africa’s bid to sell ivory very disturbing. Anyone interested in the survival and well-being of Africa’s elephants should read Iain and Oria Douglas-Hamilton’s book, “Battle for the Elephants” (1992). It documents the horrors of poaching and culling and the efforts of Douglas-Hamilton and other elephant experts to try to make the world understand this tragedy.

They fought the ivory dealers (who made millions on the slaughter) and the powerful lobby that protected these dealers. They even had to fight the indifference of international conservation groups. They didn’t completely win this war, but they made a huge difference. Kenya burned its stockpile of ivory. South Africa should do the same.

LOIS VACKAR

Huntington Beach