Loxodonta africana sp.

After over a week of debate, the most contentious issue of the meeting was settled when CITES announced that four southern African countries would be allowed an additional sale from ivory stockpiles. CITES banned the commercial ivory trade 18 years ago, but authorized two one-time sales of ivory from stocks since then. Meanwhile, a black market has thrived and critics of the current CITES decision argue that additional ivory sales will only encourage poachers. Mali and Kenya had asked for a 20-year moratorium on all ivory sales. Instead the new agreement allows an additional sale by Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe; but no further sales from the four countries will be considered by CITES for nine years. 

Le braconnage continu et le commerce illégal de l'ivoire à l'échelle internationale sont stimulés par un trafic effréné, particulièrement entre l'Afrique et l'Asie. Malgré les accords de la CITES et les efforts de certains pays, les marchés domestiques sont toujours florissants. Il est temps de montrer une volonté politique pour fermer les marchés domestiques d'ivoire non réglementés et illégaux, qui ne font qu'encourager le braconnage des éléphants.