Committee: Environments 1 Question of: measures to protect the African elephant Name: Eric Anthony Position: Head Chair
Introduction Originally numbering approximately three to five million in the previous century, the African elephant populations were severely reduced to its current low levels due to hunting for both leisure as well as the ivory trade. In the 1980s, it is estimated that 100,000 elephants were killed each year and loss of herds amounted to up to 80% in some regions.
Introduction The issue exists due to the surge in demand for ivory (elephant tusks) which can be used to make practical tool such as hairpins or knives.
Introduction 70 percent of the illegal ivory from poaching heads to China, where a pound can fetch as much as $1,000, equivalent to 10 times the average income in most African families.
Introduction Critically, and affecting global security, the trade in ivory fuels terrorism. Ivory sometimes called the white gold of jihad helps fund the military operations of notorious terrorist groups View the web site 96 Elephants : https://www.96elephants.org/chapter-2
96 Elephants.org
Introduction According to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites), 20,000 elephants were killed world wide by poachers in 2013 for their ivory tusks, 22,000 elephants killed in 2012 and 25,000 in 2011. A recent 2013 estimate valued the illegal poaching trade in Africa as being worth $17 billion dollars a year and growing. Of the 157 poaching-related cases detected in Kenya in the past three years, less than five per cent have been prosecuted and only three of those convicted were sentenced to jail.
Definition of Key Terms Environmental Laws: Environmental law means the laws that regulate the impact of human activities on the environment. Environmental law covers a broad range of activities that affect air, water, land, flora or fauna. It includes laws that relate to: Protection of animals and plants.
Definition of Key Terms Poaching: the illegal practice of trespassing on another's property to hunt or steal game without the landowner's permission.
Definition of Key Terms Ivory: a hard creamy-white substance composing the main part of the tusks of an elephant, walrus, or narwhal, often (especially formerly) used to make ornaments and other articles.
Definition of Key Terms Unregulated Markets: an economic system that allows supply and demand to regulate prices, wages, etc, rather than government policy. Wildlife Crime: any action which contravenes current legislation which governs the protection of a countries flora and fauna. Judicial Systems: is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state.
Topic summary/ Overview A single kilogram of ivory is currently worth thousands of dollars due to demand from a rapidly growing Asian economy. Researchers have found that between 2010 and 2013, Africa lost an average of 7% of its entire elephant population each year. Elephant births boost the population by about 5% annually, meaning that overall more of the elephants are being killed than are being born.
Major Parties Involved World Wildlife (WWF): Actively discourages the purchase of certain wildlife goods, encourages the production and purchase of sustainable wildlife goods such as those certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). They provide technical and scientific advice to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and push governments to protect threatened animal populations by increasing law enforcement and imposing strict deterrents,
Major Parties Involved African Nations Governments: They protect threatened animal populations, increase law enforcement, creates bans and regulations for protection of flora and fauna.
Major Parties Involved SOS Elephants: Education in local schools in Africa and community outreach. They provide safer living environments for elephants. In they take DNA test to identify illegal ivory.
Major Parties Involved International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAPF): Perform security and research in elephant habitats. Build parks and safe havens for Elephants. http://www.iapf.org/ Save the Elephants: Find innovative ways to decrease demand of ivory, tracks elephants and intervenes into illegal poaching. http://savetheelephants.org/ International Fund for Animal Welfare(IFAW): conducts anti-poaching and wildlife crime training. www.ifaw.org
Timeline 1600 1900: Around the world, the demand for ivory explodes. Taken from elephants tusks, ivory is used to make piano keys, billiard balls, sculptures and other luxury goods. Elephant numbers plummet. 1989: At a meeting in Switzerland, CITES (Conference on International Trade in Endangered Species) bans all trade in ivory.
Timeline 2008: CITES permits four African countries to sell nearly 120 tons of ivory to China and Japan. The legal ivory makes it possible for illegal ivory to be sold. 2011: With more than 26 tons of ivory being seized by officials, 2011 is the worst year for elephant poaching since the 1989 ban took effect. 2013: Death s of African elephants were reduced by over 2,000 deaths.
UN Involvement The UN has been very deeply involved with this issue. The UN has imposed sanction on armed groups such as the Lord s Resistance Army (LRA) and sanctions on DR Congo for the poaching of elephants. Cracking down on Ivory Poaching and implementing support nets. Condemns the atrocities of the elephant poaching and urges for an quick solution.
Possible Solutions Education of ivory consumers. Creation of programs that incentivize and reward local populations in the successful protection of elephant populations. Re-enforcement of the ban on ivory imports, stricter regulations Close down domestic (national) markets in ivory, to accompany the international trade ban instituted by CITES.
Bibliography "African Elephant." WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 2 Jan. 2015. "Elephant Deaths Reach Tipping Point." BBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Jan. 2015. "Elephant Poaching." Havocscope RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Jan. 2015. Gerken, James. "Elephant Poaching Could Wipe Out 20 Percent Of African Population In Next Decade, Report Shows." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, n.d. Web. 2 Jan. 2015. Rosen, Rebecca J. "What Is It About an Elephant's Tusks That Make Them So Valuable?" The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 06 Sept. 2012. Web. 2 Jan. 2015.