title: The role of ivory in the survival of the African elephant.
abstract: The unique chequered pattern of polished ivory has created a perverted commercial demand for elephant tusks. The morphologic basis of the pattern, which makes ivory a sought after product for the manufacturing of works of art, is discussed. Chemical analyses of ivory holds great potential in tracing the source of illegally harvested tusks and exposing poorly managed elephant sanctuaries. The impact of uncontrolled ivory hunting on the population genetics of the African elephant is briefly reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Medunsa Campus, University of Limpopo. ejraub@medunsa.ac.za
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Raubenheimer
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Ngwenya
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D000818:Animals; D003132:Commerce; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003804:Dentin; D004606:Elephants / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D024022:Fibrillar Collagens; D005828:Genetics, Population; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry*; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D024022:Fibrillar Collagens