Good news in the fight against ivory. More than six tons of confiscated material were crushed in special machinery by Chinese authorities in the southern city of Dongguan, where much of the trade is located, in what has been described as the first large-scale public destruction. The aim is to combat the illegal trade in elephant tusks.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
Good news in the fight against ivory. Over six tons of confiscated material were crushed in special machinery by the Chinese authorities in the southern city of Dongguan, where much of the trade is located, in what has been described as the first large-scale public destruction. The purpose is to combat the illegal trade in elephant tusks.
According to CITES, pachyderm poaching in Africa could lead to local extinctions if current extermination rates are confirmed in the coming years. The situation is particularly serious in Central Africa, where the estimated numbers are double the continental average.
For this the Chinese destruction of ornaments, sculptures and tusks ivory in front of journalists, diplomats and environmentalists has a very important value and undermines the largest ivory market in the world. The demand is fueled by the rapid growth of the world's second largest economy, which has created a large middle class with sufficient spending power to purchase sculptures in valuable ivory as a status symbol.
It can cost up to $ 2 a kilo on the black market, so much so that it has earned the nickname "white gold". The 6.1 tons destroyed are, unfortunately, only part of the illegal ivory held by China, which did not want to reveal how large the country's total reserve is. They came from shipments from Africa intercepted by customs officials, but also from Chinese factories and shops.
“We congratulate China and the State Forest Administration on this milestone event. The largest terrestrial mammal living on the planet is facing one of the biggest crises that has affected the species in recent decades. The latest estimates speak of approx 47.000 animals killed in Africa in 2011 and 2012 alone", Commented Achim Steiner, director of Unep, recalling that the international community is examining measures to address the crisis, including collaborative actions to combat illegal trade in wildlife and valuable timber.
Roberta Ragni
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CITES: decisions on ivory, shark and precious wood trade
Ivory war: elephants and rhinos face extinction
