NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan.30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ivory smugglers nabbed, a
poaching network dismantled, and hundreds of kilograms of ivory seized. And so
it goes for a week in the world of today's elephant ivory market.
Michael Wamithi, global elephants program manager for IFAW (International Fund
for Animal Welfare - http://www.ifaw.org), responds stating, "The recent
decision by CITES [Convention on the International Trade of Endangered
Species] Conference of the Parties in June to approve nearly a decade-long
suspension of trade in elephant ivory is not enough. Consumer demand is
booming, and domestic trade is out of control. Until this is addressed, we
will not see an end to the bloodshed."
On January 20th, Namibian officials seized 13 elephant tusks, totaling nearly
200 kg of ivory, and representing seven dead elephants. Three suspects are
under arrest and pending charges. Meanwhile, further east in Zimbabwe, police
arrested 11 suspected poachers, who are believed to have killed 15 elephants
within two weeks in Hwange National Park. Similarly, in Cameroon, CRTV
(Cameroon Radio Television) reports that a poaching network has been disbanded
in the south, with a confiscation of 20 tusks.
"We must consider the breadth of this issue. The problem is not merely in
Africa -- past incidences have indicated China is the most likely final
destination for illegal ivory. This side of the issue must be recognized and
tackled. We must do everything in our power to halt their obtainment of
pending ivory stockpiles," says Wamithi of the huge stockpile sales looming.
The CITES Standing Committee will meet in July 2008 to determine the
acceptance of China as a trading partner. Japan has already been approved.
"Rampant trade in Asia is much to blame for the continued violence," Wamithi
states unwaveringly. "It is clearly an unfair equation, with the wealth of
China and Japan in contrast to poor African nations. Elephant range states
undoubtedly lack the resources to protect themselves against consumer demand,
and it our duty to step in and mitigate such inequities. The first step is
rejecting China as a trading partner."
It would be difficult to tell from recent happenings that just this past
summer a decision was made to implement a "resting period" with no new trade
proposals permitted for a period of nine years (after stockpile sales go
through). Recent events have made it clear that by no means has this halted
the slaughter of endangered elephants.
Just a few months ago, in October 2007, 93.9 kg (207 lbs) of elephant ivory
was confiscated in Zambia. And, again, a few days later, 22 tusks were seized
in Zimbabwe. Also, in that same week, a man in British Columbia was prosecuted
for illegally importing 30,000 pieces of African elephant ivory. These are
just a few of the numerous cases of ivory trade interceptions; Customs
authorities estimate that only 10 per cent of contraband is caught in transit.
In both 2005 and 2006, IFAW conducted investigations into China's ivory trade
regulations. Such reports concluded that domestic trade control mechanisms in
China are far from adequate and it is impossible to ensure that continued
trade in ivory will not negatively impact African and Asian elephant
populations.
About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)
Founded in 1969, IFAW is an international animal welfare and conservation
organization that works to protect wild and domestic animals and to broker
solutions that benefit both animals and people. With offices in 15 countries
around the world, IFAW works to protect whales, elephants, big cats, dogs and
cats, seals, and other animals.
To learn more about the critical elephant ivory issue, and to take action to
save elephants, visit: http://www.ifaw.org today.
For IFAW's Ivory Market in China and Analysis of the Chinese Ivory
Registration and Certification System reports, visit http://www.ifaw.org.
SOURCE International Fund for Animal Welfare
Colleen Cullen of the International Fund for Animal Welfare - U.S.A,
+1-508-744 2236, ccullen@ifaw.org or Liz Wamba of International Fund for
Animal Welfare - East Africa, ewamba@ifaw.org
