Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
ETHIOPIA HAS TORCHED a six-tonne pile of seized elephant ivory, the country’s entire stock, vowing a “zero tolerance” policy towards poachers and traffickers.
The torching of the seized stock, which included huge tusks, elaborate carvings, necklaces and bracelets, came two weeks after neighbouring Kenya made a similar gesture aimed at demonstrating renewed commitment to protect Africa’s iconic but dwindling elephant population.
“The message we’re sending is that we have zero tolerance for poaching and illegal trafficking,” said Dawud Mume Ali, director of the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority.
We are trying to save the elephants from extinction. This is part of that. We have to act rather than talk.
Officials said the stock had been accumulated over the past 20 years, and came from elephants slaughtered in Ethiopia or seized at Addis Ababa’s international airport – and represented a black market value of roughly $12 million.
Ethiopia’s own elephant population has collapsed during that period, and the most recent estimate puts the population today at just 1,800 animals – with poaching driven mainly by demand in booming Asian economies, especially China.
Some of the ivory burned on Friday included Buddha carvings.
“From the 1980′s, the elephant population in Ethiopia has decreased by 90%. The Ethiopian Wildlife Authority is trying to minimise illegal poaching, but much has to be done,” said Zeleke Tigabe of the African Wildlife Foundation.
Ian Crag of Stop Ivory said the aim of the ceremonial burnings was to make ivory be seen as worthless.
“This is a rising tide. More and more African countries are recognising that sitting on ivory stockpiles is not sitting on Fort Knox. We want it to have no value. To be worthless. Elephants need to be worth money alive into national economies not through the export of their ivory,” he said.
“This is just a piece of a dead body. This is not a piece of art.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Speaking of books, I bought a copy of the Torah and a large crate of Israeli olives today in solidarity with our Hebrew brothers and sisters.
Expensive, but definitely worth it.
Ireland and the EU stand with Israel. Shalom.
@: speaking of wind up artists…. But bs aside, Claire Keegan author and book of the year. But why all the categories? Far too many imho
@Alan: The only people getting wound up are the ridiculous looking tools going around the place wearing Arab tea-towels around their necks.
@: :) :)
@: it’s just as well you don’t have to have any ideas to post here. Did you get a new dress for the weekend?
Strange Sally Diamond – the best book of 2023….Haa to win!!!!!
Teasáras Gaeilge-Béarla, is dócha.
An tearásas é nó an teasáras é.
Juno loves Legs. Amazing read.
Still no science fiction section.
have your say