The commercial value of ivory is a threat to the elephant, but the commercial value of beef is a guardian of the cow. This is because
A)the cow is raised in developed countries, while the elephant lives primarily in less-developed countries.
B)cows are private goods, while elephants tend to roam freely without owners.
C)cows and elephants are public goods, but ivory is nonrival.
D)ivory is nonrival and nonexclusive, but beef is rival and exclusive.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cows are raised as private goods, meaning that they are owned by individuals who have a financial incentive to protect and manage their herds for maximum profitability. On the other hand, elephants often roam freely without individual ownership and are hunted for their ivory, which creates a perverse financial incentive for their destruction. Therefore, the commercial value of beef serves as a guardian of the cow, while the commercial value of ivory poses a threat to the elephant.

The Commercial Value of Ivory Is a Threat to the Elephant