IFAW says 34 tons of ivory seized in 2012
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E-mail Xinhua, December 18, 2012
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Soldiers display the recovered ivories in Nairobi, Kenya, June 22, 2012. [File photo] |
World's wildlife conservation group said on Monday that some 34 tons of ivory were seized in 2012, marking the worst year ever for elephants to protect elephants from poachers as well seal off exit routes to avert illegal trade in ivory.
Director of the Elephant Program of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Jason Bell said this is the biggest ever total of confiscated ivory in the 24 years since detailed records began, outstripping by almost 40 percent last year's record of 24. 3 tons.
"It is an indication of an illegal industry completely out of control that law makers still have no idea where the massive amounts of ivory poached in Cameroon early 2012 have gone while hundreds of poachers are heading out to begin their annual killing spree," Bell said in a statement issued in Nairobi on Monday.
The statement comes after the Malaysian officials seized the world's largest ever ivory consignment weighing a staggering 24 tons on Dec. 10. The seizure of 1,500 tusks in Port Klang comes just to one year since the previous biggest seizure – 15 tons on Dec. 12, 2011.
Between Oct. 15 and Nov. 16, IFAW said more than five tons of contraband ivory were seized in Hong Kong. While the ivory was found in ships which embarked from Kenya and Tanzania, the origin of the ivory itself has yet to be ascertained.
"It is clear the slaughter of elephants for their ivory will only end when there are no more markets for ivory products and effective enforcement or when are no more elephants to kill," Bell said.
The seizure of illegal ivory from Kenya continues despite Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) introducing the Canine Unit with sniffer dogs on a 24-hour basis at the Jomo Kenyatta in Nairobi and Moi International Airport in Mombasa to detect movements of illegal ivory. The unit has since 2009 netted more than eight tons of raw and worked ivory.
This, according to the wildlife agency, has effectively led to reduced smuggling of illegal trophies.
Plans are at an advanced stage by KWS to also introduce sniffer dogs at the Eldoret International Airport as well as other exit and entry points.
Stiffer penalties related to wildlife crime have been incorporated under the proposed wildlife law to deter poaching- related cases and incidents in Kenya.
"In 2011, we thought the threats to elephants could not get any worse and 2012 draws to a close with the depressing news that the slaughter of elephants has not even drawn close to their zenith. The illegal trade is simply voracious in its appetite for ivory," Bell said.
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