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UN Approves China to Buy Ivory

Critics say allowing imports plays 'Russian roulette' with elephants' lives

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 16, 2008 5:29 AM CDT
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(Newser) – China has been given a green light to begin importing African ivory by a UN body that banned the sale 10 years ago, a decision that has infuriated conservation groups, the Daily Telegraph reports. African states say they need to sell stockpiles of ivory from elephants that are culled or die of natural causes in order to fund conservation efforts. Critics believe the move will encourage poaching and put more pressure on endangered elephant populations.

The trade ban was partially lifted in 1999 when Japan was allowed to buy ivory at an auction after it was deemed to have sufficient safeguards in place to screen out illegal trading. Now the UN group, CITES, has decided that China has met those standards, and will be allowed to bid against Japan at a second auction. "We are deeply disappointed that CITES has backed China as an ivory buyer, a decision that plays Russian roulette with wild elephants," said the director of an animal welfare group.

Kenya Wildlife Service rangers head of operations Josiah Achoki and his rangers look on tusks recovered from ten poached elephants in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya, in this March 4, 2002, photo .
Kenya Wildlife Service rangers head of operations Josiah Achoki and his rangers look on tusks recovered from ten poached elephants in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya, in this March 4, 2002, photo .   (AP Photo/David Ngige, IFAW)
In this March 2002 photo provided by the Environmental Investigation Agency, two young elephants stand over a dead female elephant, poached for her tusks, in Tanzaniaâ%uFFFD%uFFFDs Selous Game Reserve. Campaigners against the ivory trade say China is possibly the largest single Asian market for illegal elephant tusks from African countries...
In this March 2002 photo provided by the Environmental Investigation Agency, two young elephants stand over a dead female elephant, poached for her tusks, in Tanzaniaâ%uFFFD%uFFFDs Selous Game Reserve....   (AP Photo/Environmental Investigation Agency)
In this file photo dated Oct. 21, 2002 National Parks Board officials carry a large elephant tusk in the stockpile storeroom at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.
In this file photo dated Oct. 21, 2002 National Parks Board officials carry a large elephant tusk in the stockpile storeroom at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.   (AP Photo/Denis Farrell, File)
In this Sept. 2003 file photo an elephant lumbers through Kruger National Park in South Africa. South Africa lifted a 13-year ban on elephant culling Thursday, May 1, 2008.
In this Sept. 2003 file photo an elephant lumbers through Kruger National Park in South Africa. South Africa lifted a 13-year ban on elephant culling Thursday, May 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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China wins right to import ivory
Reuters

Greenies blast 9-2 decision for China
Independent (UK)

World • Green

 
China • endangered species • Africa • conservation • ivory • wildlife • elephant • cull

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