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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Africans OK Nine-Year Ivory Ban

But first, countries approve a one-time mammoth sale

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(Newser) – Four southern African countries will hold a one-time sale of 200 tons of stockpiled ivory before the start of a nine-year moratorium, in a hard-fought conservation compromise. Proceeds from the blowout will be used in elephant conservation efforts in the future. "It's the best we could achieve for the African elephant," said one activist.

Wrangling over the deal divided the nations involved; some sought annual sales quotas, while others that rely on wildlife tourism, such as Kenya, backed a 20-year ban. Critics complained that yesterday's agreement, hammered out at The Hague, did little to address the illicit poaching that remains rampant African countries with feckless enforcement.

An elephant bull drinks water in a swamp at the Kruger National Park in South Africa, Friday, June 1, 2007. Late-night talks among African states failed to break a stalemate on whether to ease a worldwide ban on ivory sales imposed 18 years ago to rescue shrinking elephant herds from...
An elephant bull drinks water in a swamp at the Kruger National Park in South Africa, Friday, June 1, 2007. Late-night talks among African states failed to break a stalemate on whether to ease a worldwide...   (Associated Press)
In this image made from video released by Karl Amman, a wildlife photographer and investigator into the illegal trade in animals, poachers skin a forest elephant for its meat and tusks in the Bangui forest, May 3, 2007. Most people believe international demand for ivory is the biggest threat to...
In this image made from video released by Karl Amman, a wildlife photographer and investigator into the illegal trade in animals, poachers skin a forest elephant for its meat and tusks in the Bangui ...   (Associated Press)
In this image made from video released by Karl Amman, a wildlife photographer and investigator into the illegal trade in animals, poachers skin a forest elephant for its meat and tusks in the Bangui forest, in the Central African Republic on May 3, 2007. Most people believe international demand for...
In this image made from video released by Karl Amman, a wildlife photographer and investigator into the illegal trade in animals, poachers skin a forest elephant for its meat and tusks in the Bangui ...   (Associated Press)
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