I'm not an elephant hunter - just went on my first plains game hunt a little over a month ago. But saw this tonight and thought it might be of interest to (or maybe ignite?) those who go after the big stuff. To be honest, it bugs me, while I don't have the interest or means now, I hate to think I might not even have the option in the future.

12 African Countries Unite to Save Elephants
US Newswire
July 08,2004

PARIS, Jul 8, 2004 (U.S. Newswire via COMTEX) -- Representatives from
12 African Francophone countries called for a full ban on the ivory trade.
They met in Paris on June 28 and 29 to discuss elephant conservation at a
symposium organized by IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare -
http://ifaw.org ) and SNPN (National Society for the Protection of Nature).

The meeting included representatives from Congo, Benin, the Democratic
Republic of Congo, Chad, the Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, Mali,
Togo, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Guinea, who agreed on a resolution to protect
elephants. Highlights of their recommendations include the uplisting of all
elephant populations to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species, (CITES) Appendix I and collaboration among elephant range states.

Previously, CITES downlisted elephant populations in Namibia,
Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa and allowed limited ivory sales. After
this decision, ivory poaching and illegal sales increased. Current species
listings will be decided at the next CITES meeting in Bangkok, Thailand in
October 2004. If all elephant species are uplisted to Appendix I, as
recommended, international trade in elephant ivory will be banned.

Elephants are threatened by ivory poaching and habitat loss. IFAW is
committed to working with African and Asian governments on all aspects of
elephant conservation including habitat preservation, elephant relocations,
anti-poaching training and law enforcement efforts.

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)

Founded in 1969, IFAW is an international animal welfare and
conservation organization that works to protect wild and domestic animals
and to broker solutions that benefit both animals and people. With offices
in 15 countries around the world, IFAW works to protect whales, elephants,
great apes, big cats, dogs and cats, seals and other animals. To learn how
to help IFAW protect animals, please visit http://www.ifaw.org

http://www.usnewswire.com

I think there will be hunting for some while yet. Where there is elephant hunting, the populations have value and the numbers of elephant increase. Where they are "protected", there is no value and the populations decline.

Well, the CITES meeting will be "interesting"...

jim dodd

Yeah, I'm sure this a top priority with Mugabe.

Poaching of elephants in Zim is a combination of the lure of meat and ivory. CITES or not, there is the never ending market for ivory in Asia. And the never ending market for meat in Africa. How are you going to stop that?

The French have a big financial interest in Botswana, so who knows what will happen there.

Its amazing that all these French speaking countries with the worst records of elephant conservation want it upgraded on the CITES schedules.

Where elephants are protected by Governments, its a sure sign that the big dog in that country is the only poacher and will line his coffer with dollars made from poaching elephants...the off shore banks will have to add on additions to hold the money they receive from these evil bastards, and you can be old Frenchy will have his greedy paw in the pie......

Will brought up Botswana- They reportedly have the best data of all. How can it be that they will not pursue some aggressive program to reduce their tuskless ele population? To do nothing with the stats we hear quoted all the time would seem to be less politically viable than the support of the blood sport alternative. I don't get it.