It is the first time in 25 years that the IUCN’s African Elephant Status Report has reported a continental decline in numbers, with the group attributing the losses in large part to a sharp rise in poaching. Namibia and Zimbabwewant to be allowed to sell their ivory stockpiles accrued from natural deaths to fund community elephant conservation initiatives. Both Namibia and Zimbabwe boast healthy elephant populations and their desire to sell the stockpiles is supported by South Africa. “It is now up to the Cities parties to carry that momentum forward (and) support the majority of African elephant range countries who are calling for closure of domestic markets,” she said. In 1989 Cities banned international trade in ivory by listing all African elephant populations in its appendix 1.

Source: The Guardian September 26, 2016 01:52 UTC