Top Elephant Stories of 2013

The year of the elephant this was not. Demand for ivory continues to rise and elephants continue to be slaughtered for their tusks at increasing rates. While the year saw several gains for elephant conservation, including increased public awareness of the illegal ivory market, increased conservation efforts and counter-poaching financial assistance from major countries, the world's elephants are fighting an uphill battle for survival. Some of the year's leading elephant stories are listed below, in no particular order.