Conservationists “Outraged” By Massive Illegal Ivory Haul in Hong Kong

27/05/2006 00:00:00 (Hong Kong, China – 11 May 2006) – Hong Kong customs officials announced last night that a 3.9 ton illegal shipment of 600 ivory tusks from endangered African elephants was discovered on Tuesday – the largest seizure in Hong Kong since the international trade of ivory was banned in 1989.

The announcement is sending shockwaves of concern throughout the international conservation community, which says the haul signals the growth of the illegal, underground ivory trade that threatens elephants worldwide. “While we applaud the Hong Kong customs officers who made this discovery,” said Dr. Joth Singh, Director of Wildlife and Habitat Protection with IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare – www.ifaw.org), “IFAW is outraged that massive illegal ivory hauls of this size continue to be trafficked internationally despite the ivory trade ban. It is clear that the global community just doesn’t have the capacity to enforce either the trade, or the protection of elephants. “Ultimately it is the elephants themselves that pay the price. Hundreds of elephants died in this case, for what? Ivory trinkets? It is tragic. We must end the trade in elephant ivory once and for all, and stop discussions of reopening the trade.”

While the international trade in elephant ivory was banned by the U.N. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in 1989, some CITES member nations, led by Japan and South Africa, continue to push for the lifting of the ban and a resumption of trade.