Question

1. researchers claimed that elephants were being poached for their tusks, which are composed of ivory. based on data provided in the graphs, which statement best explains this claim?

a. between 1977 and 2016, both graphs show a similar trend.
b. between 1977 and 1989, ivory sales increased, and african elephant population size decreased.
c. between 1980 and 2007, predators stopped preying on elephants, and the african elephant population size increased.
between 1979 and 1990, it was illegal to hunt elephants.
(chart: population size (million) with years: early 1900s, 1979, 1989, 2007, 2016)

Explanation:

The bar graph shows the African elephant population declined sharply from the early 1900s to 2016. Option b links increased ivory sales (a result of poaching for tusks) to this population decrease, which matches the researchers' claim about poaching. Option a is incorrect because the graph shows a downward, not similar, trend over time. Option c is incorrect because the population decreased, not increased, and it does not address poaching as the cause.

Answer:

b. Between 1977 and 1989, ivory sales increased, and African elephant population size decreased.