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February 1992 |
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North Luangwa Park, Zambia
February 3, 1992
Dear Everybody:
Last fall poaching in the North Luangwa was down from about 1,000 elephants per year to only 12 confirmed killed in 1991. This dramatic success was possible because: (1) the North Luangwa Conservation Project Community Development Program has provided more than 200 jobs for villagers, helped start small service businesses, and developed fish farms and other alternative sources of protein, and our Sister Schools Conservation Education Programs reach more than 15,000 students, altering their attitudes about poaching. (2) Poaching had dropped because of the ban on trading ivory, voted in 1989 by the 76 signatory nations of the Convention for the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The United States was the first nation to ban imports of ivory and it was a strong lobbyist for an international moratorium.
Many authorities and agencies believe that the ban may prevent the outright extinction of the African elephant. These include Richard Leakey, director of Kenya's National Parks; Cynthia Moss, who has conducted the longest continuous study of wild elephants (>18 years); the government of Tanzania, the African Wildlife Foundation, the World Wildlife Fund, and others.
BUT THE IVORY BAN MAY SOON BE REVERSED: On March 2nd, 1992 CITES will vote on whether to continue the moratorium. In spite of its dramatic success in saving elephants, some nations would like it repealed so they can shoot elephants and sell their parts for profit. But the most profitable elephant is not necessarily a dead one. Kenya's number one foreign exchange earner each year is wildlife tourism: people coming, in part, to see elephants.
Botswana and Zimbabwe argue that high densities of elephants are raiding crops and destroying habitats. Too often this is the result of elephants seeking sanctuary in areas away from culling teams and gangs of poachers. Before culling, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana should cooperate in an all out international effort to stop widespread uncontrolled poaching. Sadly, as a last resort, culling elephants in some areas may be necessary to prevent irreversible habitat destruction. However, NO IVORY OR ANY OTHER ELEPHANT PARTS SHOULD BE SOLD, BECAUSE ANY LEGAL TRADE ALLOWS THE LAUNDERING OF ILLICIT (POACHED) TUSKS, SKINS, TAILS AND FEET TO LOOK LEGAL.
There is no lawful shooting of elephants in Zambia. But, in the last 10 to 13 years, about 200,000 tusks from 100,000 elephants which were poached from the Luangwa Valley alone have been laundered and sold as "legal" ivory. Many government agencies and officials are profiting directly or indirectly from trading ivory. For this reason they often lack the will or the way to control it. South Africa wishes to finance its conservation programs with the proceeds from ivory. Yet for years South Africa has been the largest clearing house for illicit ivory in the subcontinent. If the current moratorium is repealed, the illegal trade will blossom once again. Furthermore, South Africa is rich by most standards and can afford its conservation programs without risking the extinction of the African elephant by trading ivory. The same is true of Botswana which boasts a twenty four month foreign reserve.
Our observations of the effects of the Ban on regional markets in Zambia confirm: IF THE BAN ON MARKETING BODY PARTS IS LIFTED, COMPETITION AMONG TRADERS WILL FORCE PRICES UP GIVING POACHERS THE INCENTIVE TO SHOOT MORE ELEPHANTS. As the number of elephants declines, ivory and other parts will become more and more scarce, forcing prices even higher. This spiraling incentive will insure the elimination of most elephant populations in Africa. AND, MORE PEOPLE WILL DIE TRYING TO PROTECT THE ELEPHANTS. Assassins (poachers) have tried to kill us. They shoot at our plane, poison our staff, shoot into their homes and kill game scouts.
Please help us in this urgent cause. CONTACT PRESIDENT BUSH and advise him of your support of the CITES ivory ban. Write to him or, even better, make a call to the White House Comment Line: 202-456-1111. The cost is less than $.50 per call. It is easy. Simply state that you want the US delegates at CITES to vote for a continued listing of the African elephant as "ENDANGERED" and that you support a complete international moratorium on the trade of any part of elephants: tusks, skins, feet, tails and meat.
Please spread the word. Every call and letter brings us that much closer to securing this all important Endangered Listing by CITES. We cannot do this without you. Please help us save "Survivor!"
As always, thank you for all that you do. Cheers from the bush!
President Bush
White House
Washington, DC 20500
Comment Line: 202-456-1111
Also contact Your Congressmen and Senators
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