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 3 of 3
A head count in other parts of Africa is more difficult, Ms. Dublin said. West Africa, where early European trophy hunters killed elephants in massive numbers, has a confirmed population of fewer than 7,500.
In Central Africa "there is known to be heavy poaching and substantial illegal trade," Dublin said. Confirmed numbers have declined from 16,450 five years ago to 10,400 last year.
Meanwhile, the activity back at the famous markets of Omdurman – across the Nile from the modern capital, Khartoum – suggests regulations are failing to halt the illicit trade.
The historic city's dark nooks and crannies draw thousands of ex-patriate aid officials, diplomats, and oil workers looking for a souvenir. Crocodile skins hang from doorways and lion claws are sold as lucky charms. But it is ivory that attracts many of the shoppers.
Much of the raw ivory has been carved into chopsticks and name seals, which venders say are popular with Chinese shoppers. Their numbers have increased in recent years as a result of Sudan's isolation from the West and its "look East" policy.
About two-thirds of Sudan's oil exports are sold to China.
"The government came around to tell us to stop selling the ivory," says Mohammed El Ttiap, proprietor of the Folklore Sudan shop, crammed full of dusty silver trinkets, carpets, and ivory.
"They said they would come back to buy up the unsold items, but they never did so we just kept selling it."
Now, he says, most of the raw ivory is coming from southern Sudan. "The war there has ended and the elephants are returning so there is plenty of ivory."
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