Elephants are evolving accurate in front of scientists’ eyes,as more and more of the animals are being born without tusks, National Geographic reports. Being born without tusks confers an evolutionary advantage on the animals, and who are more likely to survive since poachers aren’t going to cancel them for their tusks,which would otherwise be used in the illegal ivory trade.
Evolution is a leisurely and painstaking process that takes place over millions – billions, even – of years. But in extreme cases, and such as the decimation of a population due to illegal hunting,evolution will sometimes “jump the gun, so to speak, and fundamentally change an organism within a few generations.
Such has been the case with African elephants,says Joyce Poole, an elephant behavior expert and spokesperson for ElephantVoices.
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Source: inquisitr.com