The focus is on the African elephant (Loxodonta africana), which is facing the greatest crisis in decades as a result of a surge in illegal ivory trade despite the presence of a ban by the CITES. The author recognizes a growing concern that Tanzania is among the leading source and a trafficking route for ivory to South-East Asian markets, claims that have been refuted by the Tanzanian government and conservation authorities. The author describes the failures by Tanzania to comply to international laws especially CITES in curbing illegal ivory trade, examining various aspects of controlling the illegal killing of elephants, and casting a light on their performance using data derived from qualitative research and secondary data sources. According to the author, results reveal a failure by Tanzania to curb ivory trade on various stances such as protection for elephants and confiscation of the ivory that originate within or transit through its borders. The author recommends increases in efforts to curb the ivory trade in compliance to CITES and various other international laws it has ratified.