There have been recent events amidst the battle to rescue the African Elephant from their plight that could be labeled as triumphs.
Richard Leakey has returned to the forefront of elephant conservation and considering his previous success in bringing the elephant poaching in Kenya to a halt in the late 1980s, this gives great hope to those on the frontline of the poaching war.
Kenyan actress and Hollywood Oscar’s winner, Lupita Nyongo, has been making the headlines in her home country and around the World recently for her bold decision to join fellow Kenyans and world renowned conservationists in saving the African Elephant. We are hoping Lupita’s current efforts to inspire Kenyans to stand up for their wildlife will make great headway.
“I am proud of my Kenyan heritage, and part of that heritage is the incredible wildlife haven that is in our care,” Lupita said. “I ask the world to end the current elephant poaching crisis by being ‘Ivory Free’. It is time to ban sales of ivory worldwide and to consign the tragedy of the ivory trade to history.”
Indeed, progress is being made with regard to banning the sales of ivory. The U.S and China, two prominent nations caught in the wave of the illegal ivory trade, are almost simultaneously enacting stronger measures to eradicate ivory consumer markets within both countries. The words on most lips would likely be “It’s about time.” And quite right.
However, a major turning point in bringing the ivory trade to absolute stand-still will depend on the outcome at the CITES CoP17 in September 2016. If CITES and all participants agree on a full ban on all ivory trade, then the street value of ivory will decrease rapidly and eventually become worthless as it did in 1989.
Of course there is still much to be done, we only hope the African Elephant’s road to survival is not too long or far away.
In the meantime, we in the field must consider every small triumph a step closer to winning victory for the elephants.
NO TO POACHING
