Photo and caption by Stefano Pesarelli

Elephants are losing their tusks as a rapid and effective evolutionary response to escape slaughter by ruthless and resourceful poachers who kill elephants for their ivory trophies. In the Luangwa Valley, Zambia, more than 38% of the elephants born without tusks. This photo is part of a broader photographic project on the Luangwa Valley elephants.

Location: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia