1.   But the southern countries and their supporters argued that the ban was punishing those countries that had made great progress in protecting their elephant herds.

2.   That was followed by a story detailing the renewal of the ivory trade in Zimbabwe and the consequences on both the elephant herds and the local economy.

3.   Others, however, note that excessive elephant herds destroy foliage, leading to erosion, and damage crops and huts in rural areas in search of food.

4.   But researchers hope to show birth control can limit elephant herds without the bloodshed.

5.   Even the elephant herds, the largest remaining in India, are in a perpetual struggle with poachers and ever-encroaching mankind.

6.   He said many African nations with elephant herds are flooded with illegal weapons because of armed conflicts, particularly in eastern and central Africa.

7.   Money raised from the auction must be ploughed back into elephant conservation and development programs for rural communities living alongside often-destructive elephant herds.

8.   Reducing unmanageable elephant herds should be done by moving animals to other game parks instead of killing them, South African wildlife officials said Tuesday.

9.   Resumption of the ivory trade would encourage poaching at a time when elephant herds are stabilizing and in some cases increasing, conservationists said Monday.

10.   Resumption of the ivory trade would encourage poaching at a time when elephant herds are stabilizing and in some cases increasing, three conservationists said Monday.