Over half a million voices call for action on the illegal ivory trade

WWF

Delegates from WWF and TRAFFIC will be there too, calling on CITES, the international body that regulates wildlife trade, to impose sanctions on the countries most complicit in the trade, including Thailand.
African elephants (Loxodonta africana sp.); Amboseli National Park, Kenya

African elephant (Loxodonta africana), herd feeding in the Amboseli swamp. Amboseli National Park, Kenya. © Martin Harvey / WWF-Canon

Behind us are the voices of more than half a million people across the world who have signed a petition to the Thai Prime Minister, demanding a ban on the country’s ivory trade.  Our goal is to get to 1 million signatures by March 15th, the close of the Bangkok meetings.
The illegal ivory trade, which causes the deaths of up to 30,000 African elephants each year, is just one issue WWF is tackling at this year’s important meeting. We’re also pushing for decisions to help halt the rampant poaching of rhinos and the overfishing of sharks and rays.

Poached ivory elephant tusks confiscated by anti-poaching patrols, Gabon, AfricaPoached ivory elephant tusks confiscated by anti-poaching patrols, Gabon, Africa.  © WWF-Canon / Bas Huijbregts

Combating the unsustainable and illegal trade of wildlife is mission critical—not only for the future of some of our planet’s most iconic species, but for the peace and stability of our world’s nations.  Dr. Carlos Drews, Director of WWF’s Global Species program explains why.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx-ejHXldC4[/youtube]
 
Do something about it:  Help ban the Thai ivory trade. Add your name to the petition.