IVORY TRADE BAN IN AMERICA AND CHINA

WASHINGTON (Sept. 25, 2015) — In a historic accord to save Africa’s elephants from a poaching crisis killing 33,000 elephants annually, President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping agreed Friday to end commercial ivory sales in the United States and China.

The United States and China commit to enact nearly complete bans on ivory import and export, including significant and timely restrictions on the import of ivory as hunting trophies, and to take significant and timely steps to halt the domestic commercial trade of ivory.  The two sides decided to further cooperate in joint training, technical exchanges, information sharing, and public education on combating wildlife trafficking, and enhance international law enforcement cooperation in this field. The United States and China decided to cooperate with other nations in a comprehensive effort to combat wildlife trafficking.



FINALLY! HOPE FOR ELEPHANTS AT LAST. NOW LETS MAKE SURE WORDS BECOME DEEDS AND THIS EVIL TRADE IS STAMPED OUT FOR EVER.

Cecil Hunter arrested in Zimbabwe

Police in Zimbabwe have arrested Theo Bronkhorst, the professional hunter behind the killing of
Cecil the lion, following the discovery of 29 sable antelope allegedly being smuggled to South
Africa, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

Separate reports say that the professional hunter is under suspicion for illegally importing 29 sables from Zambia.

Conservation group the Bhejane Trust confirmed the sable were found in three 4x4 trucks that
were trying to illegally cross the South African border near Beitbridge at the weekend.

The sable, thought to be of the sub-species kirkii, which typically have longer horns than their southern cousins, may well be part of a larger consignment South African breeders and hunters have been trying to smuggle out of Zambia since 2009.

I note that Walter Palmer is back in business in the US. Still protesting his innocence - does he take us all for complete fools? It seems he will get away with it - again.

Great Elephant Census results in Zimbabwe

The results of the “Great Elephant Census” in Zimbabwe show that the countrywide population is down by some 6% (Total = 82 - 83000) from 2001, The figures seem support the dual problems of high levels of poaching in some localities and high densities of elephant in others.

The Middle Zambezi Valley area, including Chirisa Safari Area; Chizarira National Park; Chete Safari Area; Matusadona National Park, Charara Safari Area and Sijarira Forest, shows a marked decline in numbers from about 14000 in 2001 to 3500 in 2014. Poaching seems to be the main cause, although some were shot for reasons such as crop raiding.

The Lower Zambezi Valley, including the hunting-based Safari Areas and Mana Pools National Park, showed that the numbers are down by some 40%, from about 20000 to 14000. Although only the southern and eastern boundaries of these areas are bordered by communal land.

Most of the middle and lower Zambezi regions, both protected area and communal land, are used for trophy hunting.

The population of elephant in Hwange National Park and the Matetsi Complex has increased by about 10% to between 50-55000.

I have to ask how, when compared to the results for Hwange National Park, does the Zimbabwe trophy hunting industry  back it’s claims of substantial contributions to wildlife conservation and protection in the areas in which it operates. Admittedly there are some notable exceptions, but the hunters are always stating that hunting protects the wildlife stocks. Well, not everywhere.