Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Namibia's Ivory Sale Raises Poaching Fears

Legal auction could lead to more poaching

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 29, 2008 7:31 AM CDT

(Newser) – Namibia kicked off two weeks of ivory auctions yesterday, marking the first time in almost a decade that the elephant tusks have sold legally, reports the Times of London. Seven tons brought $1.18 million from Chinese and Japanese buyers, and 108 tons—the equivalent... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

There are no comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Cops Shoot Naked Guy Eating Man's Face on Highway

Japanese Artist Serves Up Own Cooked Genitals

Times (UK) (Source Grid »)

Controversial $30 million ivory sale begins - to the fury of conservationists
Daily Mail (UK)

Government bars media from ivory sale
Nambian

World

Africa • Zimbabwe • South Africa • ivory • poaching • wildlife • elephant • Botswana • Namibia • International Fund for Animal Welfare • tusks • Environmental Investigation Agency • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species • Traffic

More Newser Stories

2011's Elephant Carnage: Tens of Thousands

Populations on decline across Africa, wildlife groups warn

(NEWSER) - The mass slaughter of elephants and rhinos in Africa by poachers has once again reached crisis levels, warns the world body that tracks endangered species. As many as tens of thousands of elephants were slaughtered by poachers last year alone, and the illegal trade in tusks and horns is "pushing these species toward extinction," the chief of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species told a Senate committee on Thursday, warning that elephants are now in decline in every region of Africa. More»

EBay Bans Ivory Sales

Total ban announced ahead of report showing site fuels trade in wildlife products

(NEWSER) - EBay will introduce a total ban on ivory sales after the holidays in a bid to prevent elephant poaching, Ars Technica reports. The company banned international sales of ivory on its site in 2007 but critics say it did little to halt the trade in illegal ivory. Conservationists estimate 20,000 elephants are killed every year for their tusks. More»

Africans OK Nine-Year Ivory Ban

But first, countries approve a one-time mammoth sale

(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. More»

Feds Make $1M Ivory Bust

Philadelphia dealer accused of bringing one ton of tusks to US

(NEWSER) - Tusks from large numbers of elephants killed by poachers in west and central Africa ended up in the hands of a Philadelphia art dealer, federal investigators say. The dealer is accused of paying a co-conspirator to travel to Africa, buy raw ivory for carving, and stain it so the specimens looked much older than they were, the BBC reports. More»

Elephants on Verge of Extinction

Illegal hunting could kill off African population in 15 years

(NEWSER) - Within 15 years, African elephants could be extinct as a consequence of rampant ivory poaching, conservation experts say. Africa's elephant population numbers just 600,000, and that number appears to be dwindling by about 38,000 a year. That’s faster than the birth rate. One animal welfare group is urging countries to crack down on the ivory trade to slow the die-off. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Namibia's Ivory Sale Raises Poaching Fears

Legal auction could lead to more poaching

Africa • Zimbabwe • South Africa • ivory • poaching • wildlife • elephant • Botswana • Namibia • International Fund for Animal Welfare • tusks • Environmental Investigation Agency • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species • Traffic

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

2011's Elephant Carnage: Tens of Thousands

Populations on decline across Africa, wildlife groups warn

EBay Bans Ivory Sales

Total ban announced ahead of report showing site fuels trade in wildlife products

Africans OK Nine-Year Ivory Ban

But first, countries approve a one-time mammoth sale

Feds Make $1M Ivory Bust

Philadelphia dealer accused of bringing one ton of tusks to US

Elephants on Verge of Extinction

Illegal hunting could kill off African population in 15 years

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?