1.3
tonnes of ivory is 4th large seizure in 1 month
November 2012. Another giant 1.3 tonne ivory seizure in Hong Kong raises the
tally of contraband ivory confiscated in the Chinese city to over five tonnes -
in less than four weeks.
Arrived
from Tanzania
This seizure of 569 pieces of ivory tusks, with an estimated value of U$
1.25-million, was concealed in a shipping container that had arrived from
Tanzania. It brings to four the number of large sized seizures of illegal ivory
in the past four weeks - two in Hong
Kong, 210
tusks in Tanzania and just this week, 215 tusks
intercepted in Dubai. All the ivory was in transit from Kenya and Tanzania.
Demand
must be stifled
"IFAW applauds the Chinese authorities for their interception of the ivory, but we need to stop ivory from ever reaching the market by stopping demand in China and preventing elephants from being killed. Range states need training, equipment and intelligence to protect their elephants while they are still in the wild," said Kelvin Alie, Director for the Wildlife Crime and Consumer Awareness Programme of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
"IFAW applauds the Chinese authorities for their interception of the ivory, but we need to stop ivory from ever reaching the market by stopping demand in China and preventing elephants from being killed. Range states need training, equipment and intelligence to protect their elephants while they are still in the wild," said Kelvin Alie, Director for the Wildlife Crime and Consumer Awareness Programme of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
East
Africa is a ‘clearing house' for illegal ivory shipments
IFAW has raised concerns that East Africa's was becoming a clearing house for the bloody illegal ivory trade. "Kenyan law enforcement authorities have to stamp out poaching and work with other African elephant range states to seal off ivory trafficking routes," said James Isiche, IFAW Regional Director Eastern Africa.
IFAW has raised concerns that East Africa's was becoming a clearing house for the bloody illegal ivory trade. "Kenyan law enforcement authorities have to stamp out poaching and work with other African elephant range states to seal off ivory trafficking routes," said James Isiche, IFAW Regional Director Eastern Africa.
Jason
Bell, Director of IFAW's Elephant Programme said the last 24 months have been
among the most deadly ever for elephants.
"In
2011, in total, authorities seized close to 24.3 tonnes (27 tons) of illegal ivory
- the biggest amount in 23 years - and, in the first quarter of 2012, poachers in
Cameroon slaughtered an estimated 650 elephants for their ivory,"
said Bell.
"It
is clear that elephants are under more threat today, than they have been in a
long time".
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