The African Elephant Conservation Act states that it is U.S. policy to assist protection of the African elephant which, along with the rhino, is among the most critically endangered species on the planet. In 2011, the Western Black Rhino was declared extinct and there are fewer than 100 Sumatran rhinos and only about 40 Javan rhinos left in the wild. At this crisis point, they being killed by poachers at a rate of 2 rhinos per day and 4 elephants every hour.
The USA must take decisive action to protect these animals and stop the ivory trade. We request immediate deployment of armed drone aircraft to protect elephants and rhinos in Africa from poachers and save these species from extinction. This non-military action will also help improve global opinion of the drone program itself.