African nations clash over sales of ivory
Poaching is up in central Africa, but elephant herds are growing in the south. Nations are arguing over whether to lift the ban on ivory sales.
from the June 13, 2007 edition
Page 2 of 3
A study published earlier this year by researchers at the University of Washington, Seattle, estimates that 23,000 elephants or 5 percent of Africa's entire population was slaughtered for ivory in the 12 months prior to August 2006.
Mr. Milliken's survey found that an average of 92 seizures of ivory were being made around the world each month, with an increasing number of shipments weighing in at more than a ton. He says that the Sudanese trade is linked to conflict in Darfur, with unregulated markets, in Khartoum and neighboring Omdurman, supplying the global trade.
"It is really the janjaweed – those Darfur forces that are attacking civilians – that are precipitating the crisis, taking long journeys into Chad and the Central African Republic to slaughter elephants and bring the ivory back, maybe to trade for weapons," he says. "A lot of that is definitely going to China."
Khartoum officials either would not comment or could not be reached, despite repeated attempts.
Last week, CITES delegates gave final approval to a 2002 decision for the sale of 60 tons of African ivory to Japan – an agreement condemned by many conservationists. That sale will consist of 30 tons stockpiled by South Africa, 20 tons from Botswana and 10 tons from Namibia.
Southern African states want CITES to permit another, similar, one-time sale of 50 tons of ivory or a limited supply of controlled products sold to Asia.
The move is opposed by more than a dozen African states led by Kenya. They want CITES to agree to keep the current sanctions for 12 years, arguing that the continuing debate on lifting restrictions stimulates demand.
Holly Dublin, of the World Conservation Union, told the Associated Press that the southern African elephant population was growing by 4 percent annually. More than 50,000 animals were added to the herds in the last five years, and they now number around 300,000.
Botswana says the herds are becoming unmanageable, and animals are clashing more often with humans.
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