African Wildlife Foundation CEO, Dr. Patrick Bergin talks to The
Guardian Staff Writer Angel Navuri, on the war against poaching
currently being wage by many African countries including Tanzania. He
says in part that a live elephant is much more valuable in terms of
sustaining the tourism industry than a dead one and has asked African
countries to make sure that the continent preserves the jumbos…
China's decision to burn more than six tons of
confiscated ivory in Guangzhou (Dongguan) has been applauded by many, as
China is considered to be major a market for African ivory.
QUESTION: China’s decision to burn more than six tons of confiscated
ivory in Guangzhou (Dongguan) has been applauded by many, as China is
considered to be major a market for African ivory, claiming the lives of
as many as 35,000 African elephants annually. Even our neighbour
(Kenya) at one time burnt them. What do we learn from such decision?
ANSWER: I think what we learn is that there is a growing consensus among
the international community that the trade in ivory should be
discontinued forever. When countries like Kenya and the United
States—and now China—destroy their ivory stockpiles, what they are
really saying is that they do no foresee any conditions or time in the
future when selling ivory will be possible or even desirable.
In light of this growing consensus and trend, Tanzania may also want to
consider its policy and practice on ivory stockpiles. It is almost
inconceivable given current conditions that CITES will allow
international sales of ivory for many years to come. For this reason,
Tanzania should consider joining the other countries in destroying their
stockpile.
QUESTION: While the government has seriously initiated anti-poaching
campaign yet it is planning to sell its stockpiled ivory (137 tons)
worth over USD$ 80mn stored in Dar es Salaam’s tight security Ivory
Room. What does the move signifY?
ANSWER: Tanzania’s overall policy with regard to protecting elephants
must be consistent. It seems counterproductive to invest so much in an
anti-poaching campaign to protect elephants while at the same time
advocating to sell the very thing—ivory—that is putting them in
jeopardy. In 2012, the Tanzania government submitted a proposal to CITES
to be allowed to sell its stockpiled ivory.
Part
of the problem, in many countries, is that the penalty for committing a
wildlife crime is simply too weak. A convicted poacher or trafficker
might face a small fine or a couple of days in jail before they’re
released. Tough laws and strong penalties are needed to dissuade
potential poachers and traffickers from even thinking about killing an
elephant or smuggling ivory. We hope that other countries, including
Tanzania, will follow Kenya’s lead and strengthen their wildlife laws.
