Breaking news from CITES...
Fragile elephant populations are at risk again as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has approved China as an ivory trading partner by a vote of nine to three, with two abstentions.
China remains a major destination for ivory from poached elephants and today’s vote is likely to facilitate laundering of illegal ivory into the Chinese market.
Meanwhile, most of China’s 20 largest cities have not been surveyed for availability of ivory and the effectiveness of government controls.
“The illegal black market in ‘white gold’ seems ready to cause parts of Africa to run red with elephant blood once more after this dangerous decision,” stated Will Travers CEO of Born Free Foundation at Standing Committee, CITES, Geneva 15th July 2008.
Will Travers
China remains a major destination for ivory from poached elephants and today’s vote is likely to facilitate laundering of illegal ivory into the Chinese market.
Meanwhile, most of China’s 20 largest cities have not been surveyed for availability of ivory and the effectiveness of government controls.
“The illegal black market in ‘white gold’ seems ready to cause parts of Africa to run red with elephant blood once more after this dangerous decision,” stated Will Travers CEO of Born Free Foundation at Standing Committee, CITES, Geneva 15th July 2008.
Will Travers
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