Thekkady herds of elephantsA wild elephant plucking jack fruit
A total ban on trade of ivory has come into effect in an “important conservation victory” for the world’s elephants. The export and import and dealing of elephant ivory items of all ages not only those produced after a certain date – is now illegal, unless they have been registered or have an exemption certificate.
Poaching of elephants has contributed to the decline in elephant populations fuelled by the high demand for ivory. Ivory trading in the UK has bow rightly been consigned to the history books and everyone has played a part in this important conservation victory and should be proud of animal welfare.
The number of elephants free in the wild has declined by almost a third as the Savanna population plummeted by 30 per cent equal to 144, 000 elephants across 15 African countries between 2007 and 2014. It is estimated that around 20, 000 elephants are being slaughtered annually because of the global demand for ivory.
DEFRA, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said the ban would ensure vital protections for the world’s elephants by putting a stop to the UK trade in ivory and that it placed the UK ”at the forefront of global conservation efforts”. Those found guilty of breaching the ban will face penalties including an unlimited fine or up to five years in jail.
Animal welfare minister Lord Goldsmith said “ The world-leading Ivory Act coming into force represents a landmark moment in securing the survival of elephants across the globe for future generations.
At the beginning of the 20th century 100, 000 Asian elephants were roaming from the Persian Gulf to India and China, as their numbers have plummeted by at least 50 per cent in the past three generations and the Asian elephant habitat has dwindled to just 15 per cent of its historic range. Asian elephants are even more endangered than their African cousin. As urbanization, industrial development, and agricultural expansion increase in countries like India and Indonesia, Asian elephants’ habitats are shrinking rapidly. Less than 50, 000 Asian elephants live in the wild and more than 50 per cent are in India, a few pockets in Sri Lanka, and in Sumatra elephants have lost 70 per cent of their native habitat.
