Elizabeth answers “Elephants' tusks are mostly why they are...”

Melville Capps asked this question about Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel:

Elephants' tusks are mostly why they are killed by man. If we can remove their tusks, either by genetic modification (Safina said that about 1 in 100 elephants do not develop tusks) or by removing the tusks at a young age then there will be no tusks, no ivory, and little reason for man to kill elephants. There is precedent in hog farming. The tusks of young boars are removed. What do you think ?

Elizabeth Yes, elephants need their tusks for their protection, especially in Africa. Tusks are teeth and as Erica points out they are deeply embedded. The tusk…moreYes, elephants need their tusks for their protection, especially in Africa. Tusks are teeth and as Erica points out they are deeply embedded. The tusks start to grow when they are around 2-3 years and it would not be wise to remove them even at that age. Infants and youngsters are extremely fragile and this could kill them.(less)

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