Will Mining Mammoth Tusks in the Russian Arctic Help Preserve African Elephants?

Abstract

Objectives – The article explores the relationship between mammoth fossils and the number of African elephants. The research is aimed at solving two interrelated fundamental problems: the development of mechanisms to support traditional crafts of the indigenous peoples of the North in the field of extraction and rational use of mammoth fauna, as well as a methodology for replacing natural resources by using fossil mammoth bones instead of exterminating the tusks of living elephants. Theoretical Framework – The concept of sustainable development, the theory of substitution of natural resources, conservation of biodiversity, the concept of Benefit Sharing Paradigm in mining in the Arctic. Method – The methods of systematic and economic-ecological analysis, statistical, computational and analytical methods, sociological methods, conducting expeditions, methods of ethnological monitoring, cost-benefit assessment, and substitution of natural resources are used. Results and Discussion – The extraction of fossil tusks of extinct mammoths in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) allows us to consider it as a substitute natural resource. A mechanism is proposed to preserve the elephant population in the wild by replacing ivory with tusks of fossil mammoths. It has been established that on average 10 kilograms of mammoth bone can save one elephant, the export of even half of the mammoth tusks mined in Yakutia allows saving 60,000 African elephants annually. Research Implications – The task of integrated use of mammoth tusks and conservation of elephant populations is being solved, and methods of preserving global biodiversity are being developed. Originality/Value – Mammoth tusks are considered in various aspects: as a scientific and cultural value; as an object of trade; the sphere of employment and income of the indigenous peoples of the North, as a resource replacing the needs and demand for ivory