China destroys more than six tonnes of confiscated ivory
(London – 6 January 2014) – The Chinese government destroyed over six tonnes of confiscated elephant ivory and ivory products today (Mon) in a symbolic act to help stop the illegal wildlife trade.
The Chinese government’s move to destroy seized ivory in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, conveys a powerful message about the urgent need to end poaching of elephants for the illegal ivory trade and was hailed by the international community.
As well as representatives from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), witnesses to the ivory destruction included representatives from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), World Customs Organization, the US Embassy in China and several international conservation organisations.
IFAW CEO Azzedine Downes, who attended a recent destruction of stockpiled ivory by the US government, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Chinese government has joined the international campaign to bring the illegal ivory trade to an end. The decision to crush confiscated illegal ivory is a landmark decision, sending a strong message to the rest of the world.
“Destroying confiscated ivory prevents it from re-entering the market and further stimulating poaching of elephants. More importantly, the momentum of ivory destructions from countries along the trade chain – from elephant poaching countries to ivory demand countries – clearly tells consumers everywhere that ivory buying is unethical and wrong.”
Poaching of elephants to supply the illegal ivory trade has reached epidemic proportions. More than 35,000 elephants may have been killed last year alone across Africa. According to a UN report, when populations of elephants decline by more than six percent annually, that population is vulnerable to collapse. In many parts of Africa the killing of elephants for ivory is running at 11 to 12 percent of those populations.
“Reducing ivory consumption is the key to saving wild elephants in Africa,” said Grace Ge Gabriel, IFAW’s Asia Regional Director. “IFAW surveys show that a majority of the Chinese public would reject ivory consumption once they know that every piece of ivory comes from a dead elephant. The public destruction of ivory is so important in sending that message to consumers. ”
IFAW is pleased to see the UK taking major steps to address illegal wildlife trade by hosting a high level global summit on the issue in London next month, with 50 senior level Government representatives invited. IFAW hopes China’s ivory destruction event will inspire many countries attending to destroy their own seized or stockpiled ivory and would like them to pledge to do so as part of the summit’s declaration.
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For more information, photographs or interviews please contact Clare Sterling at IFAW on +44 (0)20 7587 6708, mobile +44 (0)7917 507717, email csterling@ifaw.org or contact Sabrina Zhang in China on +86 10 64402960, email qzhang@ifaw.org
About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)
Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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