A new study by WWF, the University of Vermont, and the University of Cambridge shows that funds needed for antipoaching efforts in east, southern and west Africa is often less than the amount of tourism dollars those same elephants will bring back in to communities, alive. Meaning: conservation is a worthy investment.

The study estimates that Africa loses about $25 billion a year in tourism revenue due to elephant poaching. Each year, between 20,000 to 30,000 elephants are poached in Africa, fueling the illegal ivory trade and demand from China and Asia.

© Wilderness Safaris

© Wilderness Safaris

Focusing on and strengthening antipoaching and elephant conservation efforts can bring in billions of dollars in tourism revenue. The authors of the study estimate that for every $1 invested in conservation, they will get about $1.78 back.

Read the study here.