Animals

On 27 January 2015 the French Minister of Ecology gave instructions to services to not further deliver CITES certificates (1) for re-export of raw tusks or ivory tusk sections. She also called upon the European Commission so as for “Member States to no longer encourage demand by exporting legal ivory, being proven that it plays an important role in development of illegal slaughter of elephants.” This decision was applauded by 39 Non-Governmental Organizations around the world who had asked Madam Royal to take such action. (2)

“On the Trail” n°7.
Information and analysis bulletin on animal poaching and smuggling.
1st October – 31st December 2014.
pdf 132 pages, 7.1 Mo.
Whales and marine mammals, pages 6 and 7

“On the Trail” n°7.
Information and analysis bulletin on animal poaching and smuggling.
1st October – 31st December 2014.
pdf 132 pages, 7.1 Mo.
Seahorses, sea cucumbers, corals and fishes, pages 3 to 6

“On the Trail” n°7.
Information and analysis bulletin on animal poaching and smuggling
1st October – 31st December 2014.
pdf 132 pages, 7.1 Mo.
Rhinoceroses and elephants, pages 62 to 95

“On the Trail” n°7.
Information and analysis bulletin on animal poaching and smuggling
1st October – 31st December 2014.
pdf 132 pages, 7.1 Mo.
Birds, pages 20 to 31

“On the Trail” n°7.
Information and analysis bulletin on animal poaching and smuggling
1st October – 31st December 2014.
pdf 132 pages, 7.1 Mo.

The decision to immediately suspend exports of whole or cut elephant tusks from France announced by Madam Royal, Minister of Ecology, is good. France has also vowed to promote such measure within the European Union.

In 2014, over 3 tons of raw ivory were sold in auction houses in France. This entire amount of ivory was bought by foreign citizens, especially from Asia. In France, ivory is sold between 300 and 1000 € per kilo. In China, prices at present are as high as 6000 to 7000 € per kilo.

Raw ivory sales in France and its export encourage speculation on ivory. Using the cover of legal ivory, ivory networks in Asia sell off illegal ivory.

Following Robin des Bois’ invitation, 37 NGOs around the world addressed a letter the 20 January 2015 to Madam Royal, Minister of Ecology, requesting a ban on trade in raw and cut ivory and on exports from France.

Madam Royal answered positively to this request in saying to the French Press Agency that “France first will align its legislation with the most advanced rules in this domain.”

In Germany, since last September, a decree bans exports of tusks and raw ivory bigger than 20 cm long. In the United Kingdom and Sweden, trade and export of raw ivory is no longer authorized.

In a joint letter, 37 Non-Governmental Organizations from Europe, Africa, America and Asia are asking the Minister of Ecology to stop the sale and exports in and from France of raw and cut ivory (letter available online). If France decides to take these two measures, this will participate in stopping elephant poaching, contraband and speculation on ivory.

The quantity of smuggled ivory is 3 time higher than in 1998. In Asia and particularly in China, demand from middle and upper classes is increasing. An endless demand.

Two joyful major events simultaneously occurred and must be celebrated.

1 – For the first time in 27 years, Japan has been banned from harpoon fishing whales in Antarctica. Hundreds of sea mammals thus avoid suffering from pain and death, thanks to a brittle but tangible truce allowing southern hemisphere whales to finally be given a blow-er.

2 –Tamil Nadu’s (India) 98 domestic elephants are on vacation from December 11, 2014, to January 27, 2015. They’ve all been trucked and gathered into two camps – one for religious-use elephants, one for forest landscaping-use elephants – to undergo rejuvenation and physical and mental health monitoring. Meanwhile, mahouts are taught how to better take care of their pachyderms.