AP PHOTOS: These animals are more than meets the eye

A sculpture commissioned by International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) titled "Alive and Free" by sculptor Daniel Jansen van Vuuren, depicting a life-size elephant and rhino, after being installed overnight in the precinct where the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, (CITES) is being held in Sandton, Johannesburg, Monday, Sept 26, 2016. The work depicts two of Africa's most iconic species under threat among others including pangolins, African lions, Barbary macaque monkeys, sharks and African grey parrots. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell) (The Associated Press)

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Models pose after being painted by artist Johannes Stoetter to depict an elephant at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora, or CITES, in Johannesburg on Monday, Sept. 26, 2016. An elephant? Look again. Artist Johannes Stoetter paints on human bodies to create images of endangered species and other animals. Conservation groups say poachers kill as many as 30,000 elephants across Africa every year. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

A sculpture commissioned by International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) titled "Alive and Free" by sculptor Daniel Jansen van Vuuren, depicting a life-size elephant and rhino, is installed in the precinct where the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, (CITES) is being held in Sandton, Johannesburg, Monday, Sept 26, 2016. The work depicts two of Africa's most iconic species under threat among others including pangolins, African lions, Barbary macaque monkeys, sharks and African grey parrots. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell) (The Associated Press)

JOHANNESBURG – An elephant? Look again. Artist Johannes Stoetter paints on human bodies to create images of endangered and other animals. He unveiled his elephant painting Monday at a global wildlife conference. The plight of Africa's elephants is a key issue at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES, which goes through Oct. 5. Also unveiled was an elephant sculpture by Daniel Jansen van Vuuren. Wildlife groups say poachers kill up to 30,000 elephants across the continent each year in pursuit of ivory. Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa are pushing to sell their ivory stockpiles for millions of dollars, but they are opposed by about 30 African nations that want to tighten an international ban on the ivory trade.