B1 – Intermediate
In Africa, elephants are being illegally hunted for their tusks. These tusks contain ivory that are used in making expensive ornaments. Hunting elephants is illegal in Africa but sadly, this illegal activity is still ongoing.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the illegal ivory business.
https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/illegal-ivory-business-level-1/
Discussion Questions:
- Do you agree that hunting elephants for ivory should be illegal? Why or why not?
- Who do you think should get a harder punishment – those who hunt elephants for ivory or those who buy the tusks/ivory? Why?
- Do you think that if people who buy the tusks go to prison, the killings of elephants will stop? Explain.
- What are other ways to stop this illegal business?
- What illegal businesses do you know exist in your country? How do they operate?
One reply on “Illegal Ivory Business”
1. Do you agree that hunting elephants for ivory should be illegal? Why or why not?
Yes. Hunting elephants should be illegal for many reasons
2. What illegal businesses do you know exist in your country? How do they operate?
Common illegal businesses include drug trafficking,political corruption
3. Who should get a harder punishment – those who hunt elephants or those who buy the tusks?
The buyers. Without demand, the market disappears.
4. If buyers go to prison, will the killings stop?
Probably Not entirely, but they would decrease significantly.
5. What are other ways to stop this illegal business?
Economic alternatives: Providing local communities with income through ecotourism so they protect elephants instead of hunting them.