Zimbabwe faces 20-year ivory trade ban

author/source:Standard (Zimb)
published:Sun 6-May-2007
posted on this site:Mon 7-May-2007

The African countries single out Zimbabwe as the worst offender

By Nqobani NdlovuBulawayo - Zimbabwe and three other Southern African countries face a 20-year ban from trading in ivory and hunting elephants if a proposal by Mali and Kenya to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) succeeds. Kenya and Mali allege that removing the ban on trade in ivory would encourage poaching and wanton killing of elephants in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The African countries single out Zimbabwe as the worst offender that should not be allowed to trade in ivory and to conduct elephant hunts. The proposal will come under consideration at the CITES meeting to be held in The Hague, the Netherlands, in June. In response to the proposal, officials from Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa last week convened a crisis meeting in Gaborone and resolved to fight the proposal. Among the strategies to be used was a diplomatic offensive to counter the proposal.Officials from the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority confirmed the meeting at which Dr Morris Mutsambiwa, head of Parks and Wildlife, represented the country. Reports suggest that Kenya and Mali found support from animal conservation groups in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) who are lobbying for a ban to be imposed on Zimbabwe and the other countries. Mutsambiwa last week said they would fight hard to stop the proposals from being adopted. "The allegations are false as we are the best managers of wildlife," he said. "We are working as a region to deal with this threat. We have resolved that we lobby and target countries with influence to support our cause." Mutsambiwa said Zimbabwe’s elephant population was too large and should be reduced. He said the elephant hunts and trade in ivory should be allowed to continue. Zimbabwe claims an elephant population of over 100 000 against a holding capacity of 14 000. But local animal groups argue that the government figures are "cooked" as it has never carried out a national audit during the last seven years.

Someone needs to stand up against the anti's. It's time for push comes to shove. Bully for the nations that stand up against Kenya and Mali-wanna-cracker!

How much to buy Kenya? The anti's are doing it, can we out bid them?

Gee, Zam and Zim both have lots of wild game, elephants included. What can Kenya and Mali show for their hunting bans. Very little game and nearly no anti-poaching patrols.

Looks lke the pot is calling the kettle black.

Keith

time to go poaching

quote:

How much to buy Kenya? The anti's are doing it, can we out bid them?

In my opinion americans are the world leaders in "lobbying". A lobbying campain to the effect that "Hunting IS conservation" is long overdue.Just dont mix in any "NRA" and "second amendment". Find a hunter within the WWF to speak for us because they are there!
Telling the truth and being right doesnt mean much anymore due to my first statement.