WARNING:Foreigners arrested over ivory bracelets

20 August 2019, 20:45

https://www.news24.com/Africa/...yan-airport-20190819

Foreigners arrested with ivory bracelets at Kenyan airport

2019-08-20 10:41

A Spanish woman has become the second foreigner in a week to be arrested at Kenya's international airport for wearing an ivory bangle, the wildlife service said Monday.

Spaniard Maria Pich-Aguilera, 50, was arrested on Sunday evening and pleaded guilty, paying a fine of one million shillings ($9,800) for illegal possession of ivory.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said in a statement she was "arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with an ivory bangle," while travelling from Nairobi to Tanzania's financial capital Dar es Salaam. She was allowed to leave for Tanzania after paying her fine.

Last week a Frenchwoman was arrested at the airport on her way from France to Mayotte for possession of an ivory bracelet. She pleaded guilty and also paid the one million shilling fine - the alternative is 12 months in prison.

"We noticed this new trend where ivory is smuggled through worked or processed bangles and we have increased surveillance," said an investigator speaking on condition of anonymity.

A KWS official, also asking not to be named, said that trafficking included "ornamentals made out of ivory".

"It may be legal in other countries but here it is not. That is why you always hear a call to stop ivory trade all over the world because any small or big demand anywhere pushes poachers to meet the demands."

Global trade in elephant ivory has largely been outlawed since 1989 after the animal's numbers plunged from millions in the mid-20th century.

The African Elephant Database estimates that by 2015, fewer than 415 000 of the giant mammals remained on the continent.

Thousands of conservationists and policymakers from more than 180 countries are currently meeting in Geneva to tighten rules on trade in elephant ivory and products from other endangered animal and plants.

The plight of African elephants is expected to dominate debate.

Some states are calling for the strongest possible level of protections for all African elephants, while countries in southern Africa, where populations have traditionally been better protected and healthier, are requesting the resumption of ivory stockpile sales.

20 August 2019, 20:56

Saeed

Arrested at Jomo Kenyatta airport!

Kenyatta own daughter who almost eliminated all elephants in Kenya!

Fascinating!

20 August 2019, 23:03

crshelton

It is fascinating -

and absurd what is going on with the criminalizing of ivory.

20 August 2019, 23:05

jdollar

I wonder if the same law would apply to wearing an elephant hair bracelet??

20 August 2019, 23:18

BaxterB

quote:
Originally posted by jdollar:
I wonder if the same law would apply to wearing an elephant hair bracelet??

Funny... when I was in Kenya I stopped in a shop that had some bracelets that looked like elephant hair but was something else. I almost bought some for the kid...until i thought about the uber-dude at the airport who wanted to be a hero that day... I passed... luckily I do have a real one though... bu I won't travel with it ;-)

21 August 2019, 00:57

reddy375

When I was in Kenya when we landed on an internal flight from Masai Mara to Nairobi. All our bags were scanned and a family was detained for having some antelope skull, must have been a pickup in their photo safari lodge!

All very goody goody after they have lost all their wildlife!

21 August 2019, 08:09

fulvio

quote:
Originally posted by jdollar:
I wonder if the same law would apply to wearing an elephant hair bracelet??

Yes it does and same applies for the bracelet made from the pad which Customs officers have been trained to identify even if it has been turned into jewellery with hinge and clasp made from gold.

Strictly speaking, if you have the CITES documentation listing all the by-products from the Elephant you legally shot in your pocket you might get away with it eventually.

Just not worth the BS.

21 August 2019, 08:14

fulvio

quote:
Funny... when I was in Kenya I stopped in a shop that had some bracelets that looked like elephant hair but was something else.

Those have been around for decades (when I was still in school in Nairobi) and the strands are some kind of resilient grass which has all the makings of Elephant hair.

Our method of detection was to singe the open end of the knot with a cigarette and if it was natural hair would give off a pungent smell.

21 August 2019, 08:49

Saeed

quote:
Originally posted by reddy375:
When I was in Kenya when we landed on an internal flight from Masai Mara to Nairobi. All our bags were scanned and a family was detained for having some antelope skull, must have been a pickup in their photo safari lodge!

All very goody goody after they have lost all their wildlife!

A few years ago at Dar airport, we found out that the day before two people from Europe - one a hunter and one an observer - were arrested because one had a warthog tuck in his bag.

There were confusing reports that it might have been a pick up.

No idea what finally happened.

We tell everyone in our party not to take ANYTHING home with them found in the bush.

21 August 2019, 15:51

Highlander7

My wife and I found a Blue Wildebeest cow horns, Red Hartebeest horn and a Warthog tusk on our last safari. They were shipped home in our dip and pack. We almost took some Porcupine quills, but left them behind.

22 August 2019, 00:30

Michael Robinson

I feel sorry for this poor woman.

To be arrested for wearing an ivory trinket by a corrupt government that has been responsible for destroying tens of thousands of elephant, and all for the sake of filthy lucre!

It really sets a new standard for staggering hypocrisy.

22 August 2019, 08:29

Use Enough Gun

quote:
To be arrested for wearing an ivory trinket by a corrupt government that has been responsible for destroying tens of thousands of elephant, and all for the sake of filthy lucre!

Amen.

22 August 2019, 09:21

Saeed

quote:
Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
I feel sorry for this poor woman.

To be arrested for wearing an ivory trinket by a corrupt government that has been responsible for destroying tens of thousands of elephant, and all for the sake of filthy lucre!

It really sets a new standard for staggering hypocrisy.

Welcome to politics!

Worldwide!

22 August 2019, 13:37

ijl

Most governments are corrupt, especially in Africa, so that's by-the-by, but where is the "filthy lucre" coming from? The fines are neither here nor there. This policy is probably being funded by ARAs, but will they be able to make up for lost tourism revenue? Do they care?

quote:
Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
I feel sorry for this poor woman.

To be arrested for wearing an ivory trinket by a corrupt government that has been responsible for destroying tens of thousands of elephant, and all for the sake of filthy lucre!

It really sets a new standard for staggering hypocrisy.

23 August 2019, 01:00

Michael Robinson

quote:
Originally posted by ijl:
Most governments are corrupt, especially in Africa, so that's by-the-by, but where is the "filthy lucre" coming from?

China and Vietnam, primarily.

23 August 2019, 01:04

Michael Robinson

quote:
Originally posted by Saeed:

Welcome to politics!

Worldwide!

True. There is precious little public service involved in politics anywhere these days. Most politicians at the national level just want to hold onto power and put themselves in a position to make more money.

But the Africans, along with the Russians, Chinese and central Asians, have turned corruption into an art form. Many politicians in these regions don't even try to hide their malfeasance.

Truly a sad state of affairs, and unlikely to change.

23 August 2019, 13:38

Saeed

quote:
Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
quote:
Originally posted by Saeed:

Welcome to politics!

Worldwide!

True. There is precious little public service involved in politics anywhere these days. Most politicians at the national level just want to hold onto power and put themselves in a position to make more money.

But the Africans, along with the Russians, Chinese and central Asians, have turned corruption into an art form. Many politicians in these regions don't even try to hide their malfeasance.

Truly a sad state of affairs, and unlikely to change.

And you seem to have conveniently forgot to mention AMERICAN and European politicians.

These bastards have been at it much longer than the ones you have mentioned!

24 August 2019, 01:10

Michael Robinson

Yes, the West has its share. But they’re pikers compared to the likes of Mobutu, Mugabe and their ilk.

24 August 2019, 01:49

Saeed

quote:
Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
Yes, the West has its share. But they’re pikers compared to the likes of Mobutu, Mugabe and their ilk.

I don't know my friend, the way things are going in the West it is not going to be long before you are neck and neck with the like of Mughabe!

24 August 2019, 02:49

Labman

quote:
I don't know my friend, the way things are going in the West it is not going to be long before you are neck and neck with the like of Mughabe!

The Obama's just bought a $14.8 million mansion.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/lifestyle

24 August 2019, 03:23

Todd Williams

quote:
Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
quote:
Originally posted by Saeed:

Welcome to politics!

Worldwide!

True. There is precious little public service involved in politics anywhere these days. Most politicians at the national level just want to hold onto power and put themselves in a position to make more money.

But the Africans, along with the Russians, Chinese and central Asians, have turned corruption into an art form. Many politicians in these regions don't even try to hide their malfeasance.

You forgot the Democrats here in the USA.

Truly a sad state of affairs, and unlikely to change.