Bamako in 2008 launched the alert: “A viable elephant population and healthy, protected from the dangers posed by international trade in ivory.” The Coalition for the African Elephant saw the day to protect this species as endangered. Cotonou from November 2 to 4 was the capital of a revolutionary statement: (1) total ban on ivory trade to reaffirm that the elephant needs an unequivocal protection (2).
1. A courageous revolution
Representatives of 25 African states have expressed the wish “to ban the ivory trade.” Elephants are under pressure ruthless poachers. The International Convention for the protection of endangered species undergoes changes at the whim of lobbies. In 1989, all populations of elephant without exception had been included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Endangered Species (CITES). In 1997 and 2000, the
reclassification of the elephant took a lead in the wing of the protective arsenal. Indeed, four elephant populations of the southern African country, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe were rejected in Appendix II of CITES in what is a rogue provision to allow sale of ivory stocks, which gives free rein to the confusion. The elephant needs greater protection.
2. Protect unequivocally the elephant
Nearly 60 percent of African elephants have been decimated over the past decade with weapons of war. According to crossed field workers and reported by Nicolas Hulot in the World in 2013, “it remains five years to save the forest elephant, today the most endangered species.” Remain indifferent, is chosen to death. This is an important part of ordinary biodiversity, but no less critical to our survival.
Everything fits in nature. We are but one link in a chain, no researcher can say that the elephant is superfluous to the future of man. There is a synergy of things and beings and we are bound to respect “untouchable” this integrity. Do not close our eyes closed and do not plug our ears. Hulot is a striking demonstration. The causes of this disaster are manifold. Deforestation, poverty, conflicts male/elephants, corruption, impunity, rebellion . . . but above this is the exponential demand from Asian consumers, especially for ivory. A 1,000 dollars per kilo (770 euros) arrived in Beijing, we understand that the mafia will be seized of the phenomenon. “The elephant problem will be resolved, according to a park ranger, the day they will be gone, or when demand for ivory has ceased.”
Mrs. Vera Weber of the Weber Foundation has made the right statement: “Ivory is
beautiful only on elephants that carry it.”
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