Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 2 • Number 9 • 16th May 2002
Zambia to Seek CITES Approval for Ivory Sale
Discuss this articleShare your views with other visitors, and read what they have to say
Zambia’s Wildlife Authority announced on 8 May that it would ask the Convention International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) to approve a one-time sale of Zambia’s 17-ton ivory stockpile collected from poachers and culled elephants, arguing that the management of the stockpile had serious financial and security implications. South Africa also indicated that it might seek to sell its Kruger National Park stockpile. The request is likely to revive the ongoing controversy over the sale of ivory, banned under CITES since 1989. Southern African countries have in the past argued that proceeds of such sales were required for conservation efforts and Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe already held experimental auctions for Japanese buyers in 1999. Other countries, however, led by Kenya, are supposed to the sales, arguing that the resulting demand would be filled by poachers. The 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties of CITES will be held on 3-15 November in Santiago, Chile.
“Zambia says to apply to CITES to sell ivory,” REUTERS, 9 May 2002.
Add a comment
Enter your details and a comment below, then click Submit Comment. We’ll review and publish the best comments.