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Battle lines drawn in clash over lifting of ivory ban
Kenya is set for a showdown with Tanzania at the ongoing Cites forum in Doha over the lifting of the ban on the sale of ivory. Kenya and her allies say lifting the ban will open a floodgate for poaching while Tanzania wants to be allowed to sell 90 tonnes of ivory. Photo/FILE
Posted Monday, March 15 2010 at 21:00
In Summary
- Debate at Doha forum expected to be vicious as Kenya takes on Tanzania
The 23 countries argue that despite a nine-year ivory trade ban, poaching has been on a steady increase, including in Tanzania and Zambia, but pro-sale groups claim elephant herds have recovered significantly.
“It is time for our people to benefit financially from this resource which could become a nuisance to local communities,” argues the Botswana minister.
Not until last week did the anti-poaching group claim to have hard evidence that indeed poaching is still occurring in Tanzania.
On Thursday a study by researchers at the University of British Columbia and published in the Science journal said the Tanzanian petition should be denied.
The study is indicated to have been carried out by researchers from the United States, Norway, Kenya, Cameroon, the United Kingdom, Tanzania and Canada.
Significant sources
Their DNA-based research indicates that Tanzania and Zambia, the two countries petitioning to downlist their elephants, are among the most significant sources of, and conduits for, illegal ivory in Africa.
“None of the countries involved in this petition are adequately controlling their country’s illegal ivory trade,” says Dr Sam Wasser, lead author of the paper and director of the University of Washington.
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