The elephant population in central Africa, where the worst of the killing is believed to be taking place, has dropped significantly over the past 10 years, according to estimates cited by Bas Huijbregts, head of field programs for the conservation organization WWF in the Congo Basin region.

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Coins issued last year by five nations in Central Africa, each bearing an elephant on one side, were tailored to fit local preferences.

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Savanna elephant populations in the Central African Republic are believed to have plummeted from around 80, 000 just 30 years ago to a few hundred today, according to WWF, formerly known as the World Wildlife Fund.

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"Elephant poaching is on the increase and given the fact that Central African Republic for the moment is also in dire straits we are fearing for the worst in terms of people trying to look seriously for ivory, " said Bas Huijbregts, head of policy for WWF's campaign against poaching in Central Africa.

BBC: Elephant poaching 'rising' in Central African Republic