To be or not to be: the question for world¡¯s elephant populations

[Guest guest]

To be or not to be: the question for world¡¯s elephant

populations

Monday, September 27, 2004

(Bangkok, Thailand - 27 September 2004) ¨C IFAW

(International Fund for Animal Welfare ¨C www.ifaw.org)

announced today that African elephant range states are

meeting during the next three days in Bangkok to debate

competing proposals over ivory trade. One proposal calls for

a 20 year moratorium, the other would lift the 14 year ban

on ivory trade. IFAW believes that even one time ivory sales

encourage and legitimize poaching, which could eradicate

elephants in certain areas of the world within two years.

 

Whether to back a moratorium or allow ivory trade is a key

issue in Bangkok, Thailand, the site of this year¡¯s CITES

convention. CITES (Convention on International Trade in

Endangered Species) is a global agreement, ratified by 166

countries, to ensure the international trade in wildlife

does not risk or detrimentally impact species or

populations.

 

Kenya is leading a worldwide progressive move for the long

term protection of elephants. Its proposal for a moratorium

is endorsed by a majority of West and Central African

countries whose elephants are suffering from escalating

poaching fueled by trade in ivory. Meanwhile backed by trade

interests, Namibia requests permission to sell ivory tusks

and a range of products from dead elephants, such as ivory

trinkets and goods made from elephant hair and skin.

 

IFAW believes that since both Asian and African elephants

remain endangered the ivory trade should remain banned.

¡°Poachers continue to kill elephants illegally and elephant

populations are on the decline worldwide despite the current

ban on ivory trade.¡± According to Grace Gabriel, Deputy of Wildlife Habitat Protection at IFAW, ¡°If

poaching trends increase due to reopening ivory trade, in

less than 18 months elephants will cease to exist in Garamba

National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to name

just one site critically endangered by the risks posed by

resumption of ivory trade.¡±

 

IFAW is currently embarked on a worldwide effort to support

elephant conservation worldwide by engaging in activities

that range from habitat preservation, anti-poaching and

public awareness campaigns in Africa and Asia, and to work

with local and international organizations to police

wildlife crimes.

 

 

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)

Founded in 1969, IFAW works to protect animals and their

habitats. With offices in 15 countries around the world,

IFAW works to protect whales, elephants, great apes, big

cats, dogs and cats, seals, and other animals. To learn how

to help animals, please visit

www.ifaw.org. ###

 

For media-related inquiries, contact:

Chris Galazzi (IFAW) ¨C Tel: 094061484; Email:

cgalazzi

 

Chris Cutter, IFAW, U.S. Tel: 508-744-2066, Email:

ccutter

Editors: For more information visit www.ifaw.org