“Stop Ivory” is a photographic project aimed at creating political change and saving the African elephant from extinction.

To give some context to the urgency of this situation, consider these facts:

  • 10 years ago there were 1.2 million African Elephants—now there are just 450,000 remaining.
  • Nearly 100 are killed every day for their ivory.
  • 60% of African elephants have been slaughtered in the last 10 years.
  • At this rate, most African elephant populations will be gone in a decade.

In short, the future of elephants is in our hands.

These images will place a compelling visual message about the value of elephants before key political decision-makers at the September CITES conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. CITES is the UN-based global institution charged with the regulation and laws surrounding the trade in endangered species. Thus, if they get this right, people will still encounter living elephants a century from now, free and embedded in nature. If they don’t, these majestic animals will soon be reduced to folklore and dusty reliquaries in museums.

The portfolio of work represents not only the elephants themselves but also the extraordinary people with whom they coexist—conservationists and communities alike. We have already completed the first chapter of this project by traveling to Kenya (as you can see in the series above).

Now, we must repeat the process to broaden the visual scope and ensure we illustrate the bigger picture. To fulfil the projects potential, we plan to visit at least three more countries: Botswana, Gabon and China. Help us stop ivory, before it’s too late.

—Martin Middlebrook, Stop Ivory


Editors’ Note: Stop Ivory is running an Indiegogo campaign to crowdfund the completion of this worthy project. You can help out—every small part counts!