Has Tanzania Broken Ranks With EAC Over Elephant Ivory Trade?

Tanzania is reportedly preparing to ask CITES to lift the trade ban on elephant ivory, much to the dismay of its EAC neighbors, conservationists, and members of the tourism industry.

In a move that would surely undermine East African conservation efforts, Tanzania has taken up the position that a sanctioned sale of elephant ivory would provide much-needed financial support to the country’s anti-poaching measures.

This comes as a shock to the East African Community (EAC), considering that last year’s sanctioning of a one-off ivory auction is to blame for igniting a scourge of rampant elephant killings throughout Africa - particularly Kenya.

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According to Tanzania’s The Citizen, both Tanzania and Zambia have prepared to appeal for the lift of the ivory trade ban at the March 2010 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting in Quatar.

Documents seen ahead of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting indicate that Tanzania and Zambia would ask that the ban be lifted, a move that is likely to be met by stiff opposition from countries opposed to the trade in trophies.

A ’slap in the face’

An article on the Global Travel Industry’s eTurbo News stated that Tanzania’s position will not be welcomed by the EAC, conservationists or the tourism industry.

The breaking of ranks by Tanzania is viewed as a slap in the face of East African conservation efforts, with the other states opposing any such sale, and most notably Kenya at one stage rather burning tens of tons of ivory to make a public statement against poaching and trading in animal products …

The attempt to have this sanctioned at the next CITES meeting has been met with both disbelief by conservationists as well as protests by members of the tourism trade, who fear that, according to information sent would discredit Tanzania as a tourist destination and give the impression that poaching for ivory is unstoppable after admitting to a lack of funds and resources for anti poaching measures.

Tanzania to benefit from both illegal and legal ivory trade?

Earlier this year, disturbing information surfaced via the Amboseli Trust for Elephants: Not only are elephants are being slaughtered in Kenya - their tusks are being sold over the border in Tanzania.

Through our thirteen Maasai research scouts and also through the Amboseli-Tsavo Group Ranch Association anti-poaching scouts we have learned that there are people buying tusks for 3000/- ($38) per kilo and selling it on for 5000/- ($64) per kilo across the border in Tanzania.

Other ivory trade points have also been reported to us. There are two Chinese road camps in the general area: one working near Emali and the other on the Namanga Road. We have been told by our informants that they are buying ivory, bush meat and dogs.

Thus, it is quite possible that Tanzania is already “receiving funds” from the existing illegal ivory market, i.e., elephant poaching. And knowing that an ivory auction will stimulate the trade even further, Tanzania stands to receive additional “funds” both legally - and illegally - from a reinvigorated ivory market.

Killing 100 elephants daily

Tanzania claims the money raised from a legal auction would be used for “anti-poaching and conservation measures”. However, in the midst of 100 elephants per day being slaughtered, Tanzania’s position seems absurdly irresponsible - and yes, an insult to the EAC.

If Africa’s wild elephants are to be protected from extinction at the hands of a ruthless illegal ivory market, a complete ban on trade in ivory - coupled with serious consequences - must be implemented. Now.

See also:

• 100 Elephants Killed Daily to Meet Ivory Demand, Chinese Appetite Whetted
• Kenya Fears Link Between Elephant Killings and Chinese Construction Projects
• Shopping Habits of China’s ‘Suddenly Wealthy’

Image: istock.com

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