World leaders commit to end illegal wildlife crime
The world has become increasingly concerned by the unfolding of a wildlife tragedy – the decimation of iconic species fuelled by the trade in their body parts. As many as 50,000 elephants, more than 1,000 rhino were lost in 2013 alone. Half of Africa’s lions have gone in the last three decades and just 3,200 tigers are clinging to survival.
The Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference hosted by the British Government on February 13th 2014 in London shows that world leaders are at last taking the illegal wildlife trade seriously. The conference which was hosted by UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague was also attended by The Prince of Wales, Tusk’s Royal Patron; The Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry. The Declaration agreed was the result of patient ground work undertaken by DEFRA and the Foreign Office.
Tusk CEO, Charlie Mayhew has said,
“Tusk is delighted to see the Declaration commits participating countries to a number of deliverables which, if achieved, should significantly curtail the illegal trade in wildlife – now thought to be worth close to $20billion a year. Today the talking has to stop and the action has to start”.
Will Travers, President of the Born Free Foundation, said:
“As many as 50,000 elephants were slaughtered last year and I am heartened by today’s news and the renewed government commitments to tackling the wildlife poaching crisis. Today’s decisions in London give me, and all who care about our natural world, hope”.
The UK’s Foreign Secretary, William Hague, also announced the launch of an Elephant Protection Initiative by the Governments of Ethiopia, Chad, Botswana, Tanzania and Gabon.
This Initiative includes an agreement to suspend all consideration of future international ivory trade for a minimum of 10 years and thereafter until African elephant populations are no longer threatened. Those signing up to the EPI will also agree to put all stockpiles beyond economic use. The five governments encouraged other African elephant range States to join them and sign up to the EPI.
Other illegally traded species, including rhino, tiger, lion and Africa’s great apes, should also benefit as there is a clear emphasis on enforcement in the field as well as strategies to reduce demand for products such as rhino horn in consumer countries.
The declaration also recognizes the role of corruption and money-laundering in facilitating wildlife trafficking, and calls for serious measures to be adopted to prevent these organized criminal activities.
Will Travers concluded, “Finally, the tide is turning. If serious funding commitments follow, then we might be witnessing a dramatic turnaround in fortune for elephants, rhinos and all the other species that for too long have suffered at the hands of human greed.”
Nothing is forever, except extinction……………..