IVORY PORTFOLIO apocalypse The African elephant is an instantly recognisable symbol of the natural wonders of our continent. The most mega of the earth’s terrestrial mega- fauna, these behemoths have stirred the imagina- tions, emotions – and adrenal glands – of humans for centuries. But our relationship with them is – and has been since before the time of the Romans – tainted by our obsession with their teeth. In pursuing the magnificent tusks that we carve and admire (and occasionally use), humans have slaughtered elephants in their millions. After a brief respite following the carnage of the 1970s and ‘80s, which halved the population, elephants are once again in the crosshairs. In an attempt to get to grips with the scale of the crisis, science editor Tim Jackson interviewed scientists, researchers, NGOs and policymakers across the conservation and trade spectrum, and filed this

special report. 

TEXT BY TIM JACKSON

Marius Coetzee

32 africa ge ographic • april 2013 TIMELINE SPECIAL REPORT: IVORY 1992 2004 The Zambian government burns nine tonnes of ivory. Under pressure from CITES, China recognises the need to regulate its an appetite for domestic ivory market. The country implements an ivory product reg- istration and certification system, measures it believes will secure its ability to buy ivory at CITES-approved sales in future. 2006 • A shipment of 3.9 tonnes of ivory is seized in Hong Kong. The shipment comes from Cameroon, but genetic testing suggests DESTRUCTION that the tusks originated in Gabon. • According to data from the CITES-backed Elephant Trade Informa- For more than 10 000 years, humans have coveted ivory – and elephants have paid the price. As far tion System (ETIS), there is a marked upswing in seizures of illegal back as AD 77, the Romans had wiped out North Africa’s elephant population. By AD 1000, Islamic states ivory shipments worldwide. The trend is also noted by the Monitor- ing the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) programme, which starts had taken control of the East African ivory trade, while ivory from West Africa (the ‘Ivory Coast’ was aptly recording a steady increase in the levels of elephant poaching named) made its way across the Sahara Desert to the Mediterranean by caravan. During the 19th century across Africa. another major peak in demand occurred with the industrialisation of Europe and the US, and again in the 2007 1970s when demand from Asia took its toll, particularly on the herds of East Africa. CITES approves the auction of 108 tonnes of ivory to Japan and China from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, but institutes a nine-year moratorium on any future ivory sales. Again, 1970 many African elephant range states oppose the sale; China, which Demand for ivory esca­lates, particularly through Central and East had anticipated a regular supply of legal ivory, feels betrayed. Africa, and poaching becomes rampant. 2009 Rudi van Aarde 1976 Following the ivory trade ban, East Africa's beleaguered elephant popu­ • As per the 2007 CITES decision, China imports 62 tonnes of ivory. Total exports of raw ivory from Africa are thought to be 991 tonnes, lations start to recover. accounting for the deaths of an estimated 55 000 elephants a year. • Customs officials around the world confiscate more than 16 tonnes 1997 of elephant ivory. In fact, 2009–2011 are three of the top four 1976–1980 Across much of Africa elephant numbers are increasing, paving years for the largest quantities of ivory seized since the 1989 Hong Kong and Japan import 83 per cent of Africa’s raw ivory. the way for a partial lift of the ivory trade ban. CITES, through trade ban. its Conference of the Parties (CoP), allows Botswana, Namibia 1978 and Zimbabwe to downlist elephants from Appendix I (which 2010 In the US the African elephant is listed as Threatened under the prohibits international trade) to Appendix II (which permits regu- • CITES upholds the nine-year moratorium on legal ivory sales and Endangered Species Act. lated international trade under special conditions) and to sell does not approve proposals by Tanzania and Zambia to downlist 50 tonnes of raw ivory to Japanese traders. The sale is opposed their elephants to allow them to sell ivory stocks. Some observers 1979 by many African countries, on the grounds that it will provide a believe that depriving China of access to legal ivory until 2018 Iain Douglas-Hamilton (Save the Elephants) estimates a minimum loophole for poached ivory to enter the international market. stimulates a surge in poaching. African elephant population of 1.3 million. 1980 1999 2011 Some 680 tonnes of ivory – representing approximately 37 500 Japan purchases 49.57 tonnes of ivory from the stockpiles of • More than 24 tonnes of ivory are seized, representing some elephants a year – is exported from Africa. Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe as agreed at CoP. 2 500 elephants. It is the worst year on record for large-scale ivory seizures since 1989. 1989 2000 • In the decade prior to 1989, East Africa loses almost 400 000 copyright unknown The South African elephant population is downlisted from Appendix I • Demand in China for ivory continues to increase: an auction elephants; just 155 000 remain. The continental estimate has 1989 of CITES to Appendix II. newsletter reports 11 100 ivory pieces auctioned in the more than halved to about 600 000. The elephant population in The Kenyan government burns 12 tonnes (2 000 tusks) of its country for US$95-million, an increase of 107 per cent over

Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve declines from 109 000 in 1977 ivory stockpile as a public statement against the trade. 2002 the previous year.  to 30 000. Uganda fares badly too, with numbers falling from • CITES gives conditional approval for Botswana, Namibia and South 17 600 to just 1 600 during the same period. In Kenya, the Africa to sell 60 tonnes of stockpiled ivory pending future review. population plummets by more than 80 per cent between 1973 1990 The conditions include the establishment of an adequate system and 1989, from 120 000 to 15 000. The international ban on ivory trade is partly successful as elephant to monitor poaching, and that Japan (the only designated buyer) populations in several, but not all, range states begin to recover. In provide assurances that it will control the use of the ivory and • At a meeting in Switzerland, CITES bans all international trade some countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the prevent its re-export. in ivory from African elephants. The ban is not supported by rate of poaching is thought to have slowed to about 20 per cent of countries that have effective elephant conservation programmes pre-ban numbers for the period to 2007. The Republic of Congo, Angola, • A massive shipment of 6.5 tonnes of poached ivory (300 tusks) ifaw/d. willetts in place; they argue that a total ban on selling ivory will hamper Central African Republic (CAR) and Zambia continue to lose a significant leaves Malawi, but is seized by Singapore customs. DNA forensics An IFAW employee stands amid ivory confiscated in Singapore. their capacity to fund conservation. num­ber of elephants, with civil war and corruption playing a key role. show the ivory originated in Zambia.

34 africa geographic • aprilapril 2013 wwwwww.africageographic.com.africageographic.com 35 TIMELINE

• The same month, Cameroon responds to the massacre at Bouba forget about 2012 N’Djida by deploying 600 soldiers from its elite Rapid Intervention • In February the massacre of several hundred elephants in Battalion to stop elephant poachers from Chad and Sudan enter- Cameroon’s Bouba N’Djida National Park (below) causes ing the country. Throughout Africa, more and more rangers and an international outcry, alerting many to the poaching crisis army personnel are seconded to fight the ivory trade, increasing the numbers across Africa. pressure on state coffers.

• In December, in the wake of its failure to curb poaching, Tanzania withdraws its application to sell 100-plus tonnes of stockpiled ivory to China and Japan. Malaysia seizes 1 500 pieces of tusk – the largest haul in the country’s history – that were shipped from Togo before transiting in Spain. The consignment was en route to China.

2013 • In February, four Chinese nationals caught smuggling decorative ivory pieces, as well as 9.5 kilograms of raw ivory in Kenya, are each fined US$340. The light penalty, typical of those in many other African states, outrages conservationists across the world.

• Gabon declares that poachers have killed 11 000 elephants in the Minkébé National Park since 2004, most in the past five years.

• At the CITES CoP in Bangkok in March, Thailand promises to amend its laws to put an end to the ivory trade in the country. Thailand has ifaw/j. landry one of the largest unregulated ivory markets in the world, and is second only to China as an ivory consumer. • In May, the US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee’s Congressional hears evidence on ‘Ivory and Insecurity: The global implications of poaching in Africa’. Testimony is provided by John Scanlon (CITES), • As CoP gets underway, the Public Library of Science publish- Iain Douglas-Hamilton (Save the Elephants) and Tom Cardamone es the results of the largest-ever survey of forest elephants. (Global Financial Integrity). It shows that a staggering 62 per cent of the total population has been killed for their ivory in the past decade. • That same month, officials in Colombo, Sri Lanka, confiscate 1.5 tonnes of smuggled elephant ivory – 350 tusks – the big- gest ivory seizure in the country’s history. Later the government is heavily criticised for plans to donate the tusks to a Buddhist nick brandt/big life foundation temple, a move that floutsCITES regulations. The use of ivory in In protected areas in Kenya, research­ers have been studying religious ornamentation, particularly by Catholics and Buddhists, elephant society for many years. The loss of senior individuals comes under the spotlight as it is said to exacerbate poaching. – with their impressive ivory – shakes families to the core.

• Between May and July, thieves steal ivory from government stock- n 27 October 2012, Nick Brandt took this photograph of Qumquat, one of Amboseli piles in Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique, flagging concerns National Park’s best-loved and most well-known matriarchs, and her family. Twenty-four for the security of official stores. hours later she and her two daughters were gunned down by poachers. Her five-month O ate (2) old grandson (the young calf in the background) ran away and was never found. Her youngest calf • In June, Gabon’s government burns 4.5 tonnes of ivory in an effort was found alongside the carcasses of her mother and sisters, where she was rescued and taken to clamp down on the rise in elephant poaching in the country. to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Elizabeth M. Rogers ‘Elephant social dynamics are complex; the bonds between individuals are deep and are forged • The following month, Kenya’s government publically burns an over decades,’ says Cynthia Moss from the Amboseli Trust for Elephants (ATE), who first encoun- elephant ivory stockpile that was seized in Singapore in 2002 tered Qumquat as a three-year-old calf in 1972. ‘Elephant survival is not simply a question of abso- by the Lusaka Agreement Task Force. Authorities estimate that lute numbers, but of access to the social and ecological knowledge that older elephants hold. When

about 300 elephants were killed to produce the shipment, which What is CITES? a matriarch is killed, her younger calves often die, and the fabric of a family is torn apart,’ she con- CITES is estimated to be worth US$16-million. (the Convention on International Trade in Endan- tinues. ‘Our research in Amboseli has shown that old, experienced matriarchs increase the repro- gered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international­ ductive success of every female in their family, so that there are shorter inter-birth intervals and • In October, Hong Kong customs confiscate 1.9 tonnes of ivory shipped agreement between nations, or parties. Its aim is to en­ each calf has a higher chance of survival. Experienced matriarchs do this by making good choices from Tanzania and Kenya, the city's biggest-ever ivory seizure. sure that international trade in specimens of wild animals about where to go, what to eat, how to avoid danger. Removing that knowledge leaves a family vul- and plants does not threaten their survival.­ Currently, nerable, apart from the psychological damage of surviving a run-in with poachers.’ TOP Qumquat in her prime with her family. there are 178 parties to the Convention, all of which have • Spearheaded by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in November Qumquat was 43 when she died. Her survivors are not close maternal relatives and will have to CENTRE AND ABOVE One day later, three more the US State Department launches a major foreign policy initi­ committed to help protect more than 30 000 species of remake their lives around the gap that she has left, with a leader 15 years her junior. elephants – Qumquat (centre) and her two daughters plants and animals. (one is pictured above) – lie dead in the East African ative, Wildlife Trafficking and Conservation: A Call to Action, in savanna. The poachers got their ivory – but the cost which it pledges to pursue a global strategy to protect wildlife. To read more about ATE and Big Life Foundation, visit www.elephanttrust.org and www.biglife.org of this tragedy goes far beyond statistics.

36 africa geographic • april 2013 www.africageographic.com 37 THE SITUATION SPECIAL REPORT: IVORY

the ivory crisis on many people’s agendas. large swathes of CAR,’ says Huijbregts. ‘The ‘We don’t know the exact population, but elephant population in the north-eastern ost poaching has occurred in think it was mostly wiped out – precise part of the country, which numbered ‘MCentral Africa,’ says Tom Milliken numbers talk about 350–450 elephants around 35 000 in the 1970s, has effectively from TRAFFIC. ‘One credible source says killed,’ says Ofir Drori of LAGA Wildlife been massacred, with only 100 or so indi- there are only five places left in the entire Law Enforcement. viduals remaining.’ DRC that have more than 500 elephants. The country is no stranger to the ivory the SITUATION This is a big shock because 15 to 20 years trade. It was singled out in 2002 for having Chad Elephant numbers in Chad were ago people were talking about 100 000 Central Africa’s largest domestic ivory mar- estimated at around 40 000 some 20 years For the decade and a half following the 1989 CITES ban, elephants in that country alone.’ The ket. Today, the main threat to its elephants ago; now there are fewer than 2 000. elephant poaching appeared to abate. But since 2006 there region is an obvious target for poachers. probably comes from the east, where Zakouma National Park hosts the largest has been a steady acceleration in the widespread killing of The so-called ‘hard’ ivory of forest ele- groups of horsemen from Chad and Sudan remaining population, which has col- the animals. In 2011 TRAFFIC, the IUCN/WWF-backed organi- phants is particularly prized in Japan, have infiltrated its parks. ‘My understand- lapsed by 90 per cent since 2005. By 2011 sation that monitors the illegal wildlife trade, recorded where it is used in the manufacture of ing of the estimates suggests there are only 450 animals remained. Poaching, 13 large-scale seizures, each containing more than 800 kilo- name stamps, or hanko, and the bachi, a 2 000 savanna elephants left in northern however, has slowed dramatically since grams of ivory, that weighed an estimated 23 tonnes – and traditional drumstick or plectrum. (Before Cameroon, far fewer than its remaining, African Parks took over the park’s manage- represented about 2 500 dead elephants. The International the trade ban, Japan sourced most of its forest elephant population in the south- ment in 2010. Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) believes that more than ivory from the Republic of Congo.) east,’ says Bas Huijbregts from WWF. 25 000 African elephants, some five per cent of the entire The dense rainforests that blanket the ‘Apart from that big incident in Bouba Republic of Congo Based on the CITES 2002 population, lost their lives to poachers that year. region provide ideal cover for poaching, N’Djida, these populations have not suf- quota system, Congo was the largest Recently, the IUCN African Elephant Specialist Group (AfESG) which is further facilitated by low levels of fered too much from poaching… In the African exporter of ivory between 1986 sent a questionnaire on poaching levels to 12 countries. The an- law enforcement, political instability and forests, however, the situation is really, and 1989. Today most of the country’s swers revealed that poaching had indeed risen in the Demo- collaboration with armed forces and mili- really bad. A study, just published, using remaining elephants are found in the cratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic tia groups. Conditions also make it diffi- the largest dataset on forest elephants ever Nouabalé-Ndoki and Odzala-Kokoua (CAR), Cameroon, Kenya, Gabon, Mozambique, the Republic cult to assess population status, so keeping compiled, shows that across their range in national parks and their surrounds. And of Congo, Tanzania and Zambia. With the possible exception track of events is extremely challenging. Central Africa, 62 per cent of all forest ele- they are taking a beating. The Wildlife of Namibia’s Etosha National Park and the Kruger National phants have been killed for their ivory in Conservation Society (WCS) estimates that Park in South Africa, the illegal ivory trade permeates popu- Gabon If you were to guess which Cent- the past 10 years.’ about 5 000 elephants – almost half the lations across the continent. Here we highlight the marked ral African country is home to the most population – have been killed by poachers differences in poaching rates within Central, East, West and elephants, chances are you wouldn’t say Central African Republic (CAR) Until around Nouabalé-Ndoki in the past five southern Africa, and individual countries. Gabon. The country holds just 13 per the turn of this century much of the coun- years. Odzala-Kokoua faces a similar situ- cent of Africa’s equatorial rainforests, yet try’s north and east was thought to be ele- ation. Elephant numbers there are estimat- now claims over half of the continent’s phant range. ‘Over the past decades, ed to have fallen from about 13 000 in

forest elephants, some 40 000–50 000 poachers have wiped out elephants across 2008 to 9 000 today.  individuals according to the Agence Nationale des Parcs 2006 Nationaux, the Gabonese National Parks Agency. In Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) The elephant the past 18 months two population of Africa’s second-largest country is currently MALI NIGER massacres have dented these estimated at no more than 10 000 animals. ‘Elephant num- CHAD figures. In 2011, 27 ele- bers today are reduced and scattered in the remaining ele- BURKINA phant landscapes,’ says John Hart of the Lukuru FASO phant carcasses discovered Foundation. ‘Many of these areas are logistically difficult ETHIOPIA in the open savanna areas CÔTE SOUTH D’IVIRE CENTRAL AFRICAN SUDAN of Wonga-Wongue Wildlife and remote, while some are occupied by militias and brig- REPUBLIC CAMEROON Reserve alluded to even ands.’ In fact, the decline in numbers can be linked with unrest that predates 2006, with the country’s volatile east- UGANDA worse carnage hidden in the REPUBLIC KENYA GABON OF CONGO park’s forested areas. In ern region being particularly vulnerable to poaching. DEMOCRATIC ‘Trends in Okapi and Garamba [national parks], as well as REPUBLIC February this year, Minkébé Poaching OF CONGO TANZANIA National Park and its sur- information from elsewhere, show that the carnage got on the rise rounds – host to the largest under way during the civil war [1998–2005], with increas- 2011 The number of elephants population in the country – ing poaching from 2008 onwards as the country stabilised killed illegally, as a propor- and the Chinese arrived,’ Hart continues. ‘Today all major ZAMBIA reported that it has lost tion of the total number of more than 11 000 elephants elephant populations have poaching issues, while several mortalities, has increased ZIMBABWE MOZAMBIQUE parks – Virunga, Okapi, Salonga – have made major invest- steadily since 2006. This NAMIBIA since 2004. BOTSWANA ments to safeguard their elephants.’ In 2005 African Parks graphic published by Ele- phants in Peril (www.ele Cameroon Although there took over the running of Garamba National Park, which phantsinperil.org) shows have been more catastrophic harbours the DRC’s largest population, at a time when the intensification of poach- SOUTH there were widespread incursions by Sudanese poachers. AFRICA killings, the death of several ing from 2002 to 2011. cites mike programme, 2012 hundred elephants in Bouba N’Djida National Park put nuria ortega/african parks

38 africa geographic • april 2013 www.africageographic.com 39 THE SITUATION

elephants occur in the Ruaha–Rungwa and area suggest the population decreased by South Sudan Ironically, five decades of Selous ecosystems. ‘There has been a huge more than 1 000 in just four years to 2012, conflict were kind to South Sudan’s ele- increase in illegal elephant killing in although drought accounted for more A minimum of 6 500 elephants cur- phants. WCS reports that the civil war Tanzania over the past few years,’ says than half the fatalities. rently inhabit the entire savanna stifled development and preserved the larg- Howard Frederick, an aerial survey special- According to Ian Craig of the Northern region of West Africa. Most popula- est intact savanna in East Africa. Since the ist. ‘Poaching is bad in the Selous region Rangelands Trust, ‘Elephant poaching is at tions are scattered and isolated, with 2005 peace deal, however, the ready avail- now, shifting in the past three years from its highest level numerically in northern many numbering fewer than 200 ability of weapons has enabled increasing- western Tanzania. The government is mak- Kenya since the late 1980s. It is not yet a animals, suggesting they will go ly organised armed groups to traffick ivory. ing a strong anti-poaching push, but the crisis, nor at the same level of the 1970s extinct within the next few decades. ‘The elephant population, estimated at areas are huge.’ and ’80s, but this is purely due to the Arguably the best known are the 130 000 in 1986, has crashed to 5 000 if Determining how many elephants are strong response from the Kenyan govern- 350 or so desert elephants of north- South Sudan is “lucky”,’ says Paul Elkan, being killed and how many remain is a ment and a greater awareness among ern Mali, which are now threatened WCS director for the country. He warns challenge. A 2006 count made by the gov- Kenyans of the value of wildlife, and by escalating conflict. Some 90 per that if poaching continues at present rates, ernment through the Tanzanian Wildlife hence less of a window of opportunity to cent of the populations form part of elephants could disappear from South Research Institute (TAWIRI) in the Selous allow corruption to cover large-scale a western pool concentrated in Sudan within the next five years. region suggested a population of around poaching.’ Commenting on poaching Burkina Faso, but including popula- grant atkinson 74 000 elephants, though confidence lim- levels across the country, he continues, tions from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia has lost nearly 90 per cent of its (that is, the probable range) were wide; ‘It is a widespread problem impacting all Ghana, Mali and Niger. Poaching lev- conduct anti-poaching patrols, roadblocks since 2007 there has been an increase in its elephant population since the 1980s, three years later WCS and TAWIRI counted of Kenya’s elephants, with hotspots in els remain among the highest in and spot checks at unannounced locations poaching, primarily in areas bordering the with the total number estimated at 1 200 just 43 000 elephants for the same area. the Taita–Taveta ranching district and Africa. Several countries no longer across the country.’ park.’ The FZS maintains that overall the in 2007. In the 1990s, elephants were within the Laikipia–Samburu popula- have elephants – Sierra Leone, for Luangwa valley elephant population is found in 16 areas ranging over 94 000 Kenya Despite widespread publicity to tion. Nowhere in Kenya is immune to instance, saw its final elephants South Africa To date, South Africa has dropping, although current data suggest square kilometres; by 2006, fragmented the contrary, Kenya has fared relatively this threat.’ The killing of 12 elephants killed in 2009 – and many now have avoided elephant poaching more successful- that North Luangwa is stable. herds were found in just nine areas over well as poaching levels escalate through in Tsavo East National Park in January more ivory than the animals that ly than any other range state, a statement 29 000 square kilometres. East Africa. Nonetheless, figures from 2013 was the largest single incident in produce it. corroborated in March by Minister of Water Zimbabwe ‘The last complete aerial sur- Kenya Wildlife Service indicate that poach- the country since the 1980s. and Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa, vey of elephant range was carried out in Tanzania holds by far the majority of ing levels are steadily increasing – the who stated: ‘No elephants have been 2001, when the population reached about East Africa’s elephants – around 80 per country lost 384 elephants to poachers in Uganda is home to more than 4 000 ele- poached since the once-off sale [of ivory in 90 000, so there is little in the way of recent cent – and the second-largest savanna 2012, rising from 289 in 2011. Aerial sur- phants and the population is considered Namibia is home to some 20 000 ele- 2008].’ In fact, until it was stopped in 1996, reliable information on current poaching population after Botswana. Most of its veys in the northern Samburu–Laikipia stable at the moment. ‘Poaching of phants and remains one of the few coun- the major human activity affecting ele- trends in Zimbabwe,’ says David Cumming elephants in Uganda has tries where poaching is currently not con- phants in the Kruger National Park was cull- from the University of Cape Town. He increased over the past sidered a major threat. In Etosha National ing. Since then the elephant population in reports that there have been more recent three to four years in the Park, Pierre du Preez of the Ministry of the park and surrounding management region-specific surveys, for instance for the main protected areas of Environment and Tourism comments, ‘We areas, the largest in the country by some middle Zambezi valley and Gonarezhou Murchison Falls and conduct intensive surveys using a helicopter margin, has increased from around 8 000 National Park, but that none has produced Queen Elizabeth nation- and land at every carcass, where we sample to 16 500 in 2012, and continues to grow. any alarming carcass ratios (the number of al parks,’ says Charles and collect ivory – so far we have not found Even so, South Africa serves as a transit elephant carcasses as a proportion of the Tumwesigye of the any mortalities due to poaching.’ The centre for ivory leaving the continent. total population). Uganda Wildlife Caprivi Strip in the north-east, where the Authority. ‘The recent majority of the country’s elephants are Zambia The Luangwa and Zambezi val- Mozambique ‘Northern Mozambique increase in poaching is found, is a much higher risk area. Here the leys and the Kafue area are home to holds the highest concentration of ele- highly organised, with number of elephants poached increased Zambia’s major elephant populations. ‘The phants in the country – some 13 000 big businessmen using from fewer than 10 in 2011 to 78 in 2012. population in Kafue is presently considered according to the latest survey. Greater locals to kill elephants stable,’ says Jeremy Pope from The Nature Limpopo, Gorongosa and Chimanimani in return for money Botswana ‘Our 2010 survey estimated Conservancy’s Zambia programme. Lower national parks follow in numbers,’ says once they’ve delivered that there are between 120 000 and 140 000 Zambezi National Park, with roughly 2 000 Roberto Zolho of WWF. ‘The most recent the ivory. A number of elephants in Botswana,’ says Mike Chase elephants, shows a slight upward trend. survey from the north suggests more than the people behind this from Elephants Without Borders. ‘The According to Ian Stevenson of Conservation 2 500 elephants have been killed there activity have been Chobe District has the most elephants, esti- Lower Zambezi, ‘Since the mid-1990s, with since 2009, when poaching started to take tracked through intelli- mated to be about 40 000. The population increased protection, elephant populations off, but we think this might be an under- gence and arrested, and grew significantly until about 2005, but sub- have continued to grow.’ estimate.’ The level of criminal activity there is a general reduc- sequent surveys have yielded similar num- Further north, the Luangwa valley hosts certainly suggests the population is in tion in elephant killing bers. Most poaching occurs in the Chobe the country’s largest population of ele- decline. ‘Poaching is highly organised – in Uganda now.’ Even District, along the Chobe and Linyanti phants, with an estimated 18 500 in 2008. helicopters out of Pemba airport are report- so, 2011 was the worst rivers, as well as around the border with Speaking for North Luangwa, one of two ed to be used – and involves both local and year for the country’s Namibia and Zimbabwe, though there is no national parks that protect the area, Ed foreign poachers, though no actions have elephants in recent great threat at present,’ he adds. ‘There is a Sayer of the Frankfurt Zoological Society been taken against them.’ Zolho cites lack years, with 2012 also strong commitment from the government (FZS) says, ‘The elephant population has of capacity by law enforcement bodies, cor- showing high levels of to prevent poaching, and extensive deploy- been increasing since 1989, coinciding ruption and a weak judiciary system as illegal killing. ment of the Botswana Defence Force to with a law enforcement presence. Even so, contributing factors. istock/dan kite

40 africa geographic • april 2013 www.africageographic.com 41 who & why SPECIAL REPORT: IVORY

‘About every six weeks we rescue some- one who has escaped from the LRA, so we have a very regular insight into what [it is] doing in Garamba [National Park, DRC]. We know from interviewing the escapees full-scale ASSAULT that there is an expectation to source ivory and to send it to Kony,’ says Peter From corrupt militias to Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks, which poverty-stricken people manages Garamba. ‘In April 2012 we sent in a patrol to keep an eye on a big herd of eking a living at the edges elephants and ended up having a gun bat- of protected areas, the tle with the LRA – our scouts fired more than 1 000 rounds of ammunition in one ivory trade entices many exchange,’ he says. different people for lots ‘Recently they have become much bet- ter equipped,’ he continues. ‘Two years of different reasons. ago they would have been a small, poorly resourced group, but in this incident there were more than 60 armed individuals. blood ivory They had lots of ammunition and lots of White gold or blood ivory? Ivory means guns.’ The size of the group African Parks different things in different hands but, took on is not typical for a poaching in wildlife trafficking circles at least, an party. ‘The LRA and those 60 men were elephant is a commodity. And how and part of a group of about 110 people, Yves Stranger/african parks why it is harvested can take widely including women and children, who were divergent paths. basically camped in the middle of the Horn of Africa, the al-Qaeda-linked al- use horses and heavy-calibre rifles and Today organised crime takes a front Garamba – that was their base,’ confirms Shabaab terrorist organisation may well herd the animals towards marksmen. They seat in the illegal killing of elephants, as Fearnhead. be involved too. The outfit controls large open fire indiscriminately, killing a lot of it does for rhinos. Among the most no-­ swathes of the southern parts of Somalia animals outright and wounding many tori­ous poachers on the continent are About every six weeks we res- and several reports in the Kenyan press more – we talk of massacre sites here and armed militias who supposedly kill ele- cue someone who has escaped have suggested that it is connected with that is exactly what they are,’ she contin- phants to fuel their own conflicts. To from the LRA, so we have a the ivory trade, although details remain ues. ‘We found 19 carcasses at one site and them, ivory is a means towards a more sketchy. ‘There have been several allega- seven at another, and a baby elephant was very regular insight into what bloody and brutal end that serves to David Santiago Garcia/african parks tions claiming that known militant organ- also killed here. In other words a pretty destabilise some of Africa’s most fragile [it is] doing in Garamba isations are engaged in elephant poaching devastating means of killing. They used the regions and provide the catalyst for even and ivory trade. INTERPOL takes these same techniques in Cameroon.’ greater conflict. This is blood ivory. The connection between the LRA, ivory very seriously and is looking into them,’ The organisation gained further insight Arguably the most notorious group and arms remains speculative though. says Bill Clark of INTERPOL. He confirms into their methods when they raided a thought to be caught up in this trade is ‘The evidence that the LRA is killing ele- that the Kenya Wildlife Service has camp near Zakouma National Park last the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), which phants in Garamba is very, very strong – claimed that al-Shabaab is involved in the year. ‘We confiscated 1 000 rounds of .762 originated in northern Uganda. we have no doubt about that. We have ivory business. ammunition. That’s not for a short hunt- Members of the United Nations Security some credible reports that the LRA might ing trip. When you’ve got 1 000 rounds of Council are so concerned about the be involved in the illegal trade in ivory, Horsemen of the apocAlypse ammunition, you’re going to harvest,’ destabilising effect that LRA leader but there’s no confirmation yet that it is Groups of armed horsemen from Sudan says Fearnhead. The poachers were well- Joseph Kony and his cronies are having doing so,’ says Paul Ronan from The rank among some of Africa’s most notori- equipped – other items in their possession in the region that they called for an Resolve, an advocacy group looking to ous elephant poachers. Operating during included a satellite phone, cellphones and investigation into the alleged involve- end the militia’s reign of terror. ‘They the dry season, they travel more than solar chargers. ‘Over a period of six weeks ment of the group in elephant poaching could be using ivory to bribe local offi- 1 000 kilometres westwards in large raid- to two months they gathered an enorm­

in December 2012. Operating thoughout cials – as protection money – or to pro- ing parties, reputedly with trains of cam- ous amount of ivory – basically shot  South Sudan, Uganda, the Democratic cure weapons or basic food and medical els in tow to transport ivory back. Last Republic of Congo (DRC), Central supplies to keep the groups alive. year they carried out the well-publicised African Republic (CAR), Sudan and Chad, Bartering it, basically.’ In January 2013 massacre in Bouba N’Djida National Park ABOVE Armed with weapons and a radio, anti- the LRA has reputedly decimated ele- The Resolve uncovered some of the LRA’s in north-eastern Cameroon. They are re-­ poaching rangers patrol Zakouma National Park in Chad on horseback – in anticipation of encountering phant populations in these areas. It may illicit ivory dealings. ‘Several abductees sponsible for the deaths of a massive marauding horsemen from Sudan. be described primarily as a militia – who escaped in CAR reported that a heli- number of elephants, decimating popula- OPPOSITE, ABOVE A ranger holds the tusk of an Kony is wanted by the International copter periodically rendezvoused with an tions in countries such as Chad and CAR. elephant poached in the DRC’s Garamba National Criminal Court at the Hague for war LRA group there and gave the rebels food ‘The method of poaching elephants here Park, a reserve hard hit by militias in search of crimes and crimes against humanity – in exchange for ivory,’ says Ronan. in Chad is unlike anything we have come blood ivory. but ivory poaching is definitely part of Kony’s army is not the only militia across before,’ says Lorna Labuschagne, OPPOSITE, BELOW Bushmeat, ivory and skins … the LRA’s modus operandi. thought to be linked to blood ivory. In who works there for African Parks. ‘They the spoils of a raid on a poachers’ camp in Garamba. Nuria Ortega/african parks

42 africa geographic • april 2013 www.africageographic.com 43 WHOwho & HOWwhy SPECIAL REPORT: IVORY

elephant hunts] are influential govern- Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the ment or military officers, businessmen or Republic of Congo faces similar problems. even clerics,’ he writes in the report. ‘The ‘The poaching today is done by the local commanditaires order the hunt and pro- communities surrounding the park, but vide money, food and other goods to the most of these people are not the culprits lead hunter, who organises the hunting but rather the victims,’ says Leon party. The commanditaire also often sup- Lamprecht, who manages the reserve for plies weapons and ammunition. In return, African Parks. ‘Military and police officials he receives tusks.’ Such elephant hunts are providing firearms and ammunition typically include about seven men and to local communities to hunt elephants, last up to two weeks. then they buy back the ivory from these Interestingly, Stiles also calculated that, guys at minimal prices.’ He continues, unless the tusks are very large – bigger ‘The main problem we face every day is than 20 kilograms each – the meat from the corruption of the local authorities – the elephant is worth more than its including our own ecoguards – that is ivory, but its sheer mass makes realising allowing the trade to happen. At present this value logistically difficult. The tusks the majority of our intelligence indicates John Sidle/african parks are much easier money. mainly West Africans and Chadians as well as the level of technology used in cited in the official press coverage pointed At the bottom of the money chain lie the traders.’ some poaching incidents. Twenty-two ele- to his selling arms to militia groups and poor, rural people, many of whom live on phants died. ‘They were shot by profes- his involvement in elephant poaching – the borders of national parks and nature collateral damage sional marksmen, mostly with a single so there are no secrets about who is reserves. For them, the financial rewards of Given the weaponry involved, and the shot to the top of the head,’ says the involved in the demise of the DRC’s ele- poaching are tangible and tantilising. ‘In ever-increasing stakes, the cost of the organisation’s Jane Edge. phants,’ says John Hart of the Lukuru the Selous [Game Reserve, Tanzania], ivory trade cannot be counted in terms of Lorna Labuschagne/african parks Although no helicopter was seen on Foundation. poachers are well known in the communi- elephant deaths alone. Across the contin­ ABOVE Counting the human cost. Brahim the day, one registered to the Ugandan ties; they return home awash with cash ent people are dying to save the species Khamis, a ranger based in Zakouma National Park, was killed in a surprise attack during Unless the tusks are very Air Force was photographed flying very Follow the money after delivering their poached ivory to mid- too. ‘We’ve had up to 22 staff killed in a morning prayers. A disturbing number of rangers large – bigger than 20 kilo- low over Garamba on two subsequent Military expediency, however, is not the dlemen. This cash gives them immediate year by the LRA. Garamba is a war zone. in Africa have lost their lives in the line of duty. occasions. ‘According to Ugandan Air only motivating factor for poachers. status and they become the role models for The whole area is completely destabilised,’ grams each – the meat from OPPOSITE, ABOVE Vultures circle five of the Force flight records, the helicopter flew Considering the sheer amount of money young people, who see only the immediate says Peter Fearnhead. 23 elephants thought to have been killed during the elephant is worth more out of South Sudan’s Nzara Base, which is involved, it should come as no surprise Further south Paul Sadala, an ivory traf- an aerial attack in Garamba in April 2012. On two occasions after the incident, this Ugandan than its ivory, but its sheer run by the Ugandan military, on the day that people from all walks of life are The poaching today is done ficker better known by his alias ‘Morgan’, military helicopter (INSET) was seen flying low mass makes realising this of the elephant killings,’ confirms Edge. caught up in the ivory trade. Daniel Stiles’ by the local communities led an armed assault against the Okapi over the park, although Ugandan authorities ‘The Ugandan authorities have declined IUCN report ‘Elephant Meat Trade in Wildlife Reserve in June 2012 that left declined to explain its presence there. value logistically difficult surrounding the park, but to explain what they were doing in Central Africa’ found that, despite con- seven people dead and another 30 taken OPPOSITE, BELOW In March 2013 Athanase the park.’ cerns over elephants dying for bushmeat, most of these people are hostage. The killings were aimed at the Edou Mebiame, a high-ranking Gabonese official everything that was possible – stockpiled Reports of helicopters and similar levels the primary motivation for poaching, rep- Institute in the Congo for Conservation (LEFT), confessed to providing weapons and food not the culprits but rather to poachers, and transporting ivory across it and then paid local couriers with horses of sophistication have come from north- resenting more than 90 per cent of his the victims of Nature (ICCN) and the Okapi Con­ international borders using official vehicles. and camels to transport it out.’ ern Mozambique and Kenya, and fingers respondents, was ivory. ‘They hunted for servation Project (OCP), which had dared The equipment retrieved contained fur- have also been pointed at crim­inal profit, not food,’ he says. ‘Well over half benefit of an illegal activity – and criminals to target Morgan’s elephant poachers and ther clues as to the horsemen’s activ­ities. elements within the military of the DRC of the elephant hunters said they were who operate above the law,’ says Mary gold-miners operating illegally in the known to come. Sometimes even water- ‘We have photographs from their cell- and South Sudan. Late in 2012, the head paid by others to kill elephants. These Rice, executive director of the Environ­ ­ reserve. The weapons used in the attack holes have been poisoned,’ says TRAFFIC’s phones that show elephant massacres of the DRC’s army was sacked. ‘The reasons commanditaires [who order and subsidise mental Investigation Agency (EIA). were funded by ivory. Tom Milliken. somewhere else,’ continues Fearnhead. Given the rewards poaching can bring, ‘This guy doesn’t care,’ says John Lukas, Elsabé van der Westhuizen from the ‘We know they’re not from the Zakouma the temptation is often overwhelming OCP president. ‘He kills elephants every Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), con- area. The dates on the pictures are late and the penalties for getting caught are day. Killing animals is his business.’ In firms similar incidents in Gonarezhou. January 2012, which coincides more or little deterrent at all. ‘Investigations car- 2012, a similar tit-for-tat killing in Chad ‘We consider poison one of the most less with the incidents in Bouba N’Djida. ried out by the EIA show a continual flow saw six of Zakouma’s rangers killed in important threats at the moment and are We can’t be certain [yet], but we think we of ivory out of the Selous. Some poaching retribution­ for the arrest of four poachers, worried about seeing a further rise in its are getting information from this incident groups enter the reserve for periods of up while Kenya Wildlife Service lost six per- use in the future,’ she says. Here ele- on the Bouba N’Djida massacres. These to two weeks and kill as many as 10 ele- sonnel to poachers, including the first phants have been poisoned using wild are Chad nationals working with corrupt phants each trip,’ says Rice in ‘Open female ranger to die in the line of duty. melons and marula fruit laced with officials in the Sudanese army and police.’ Season’, the EIA’s investigation into the People are not the only victims. In toxin. Similar incidents­ are reported from illegal trade in Tanzania and Zambia. ‘The some areas poisons, such as the insect­ Tanzania, where the African Wildlife aerial assault poached ivory is then hidden, buried at icide Temic, are used to kill elephants. ‘We Foundation confirms that elephants were African Parks has run the full gamut of remote locations on the edge of the have seen evidence in Zimbabwe and found poisoned last year at Manyara poachers. Another notorious attack on reserve until it is sold to traders, usually elsewhere in the region where poison Ranch, close to Tarangire National Park, elephants was conducted by helicopter from Dar es Salaam. The transactions take has been used to try to kill elephant and their tusks removed. Elephants last year in Garamba. The attack high- place in villages that have become known groups. Temic has been put in oranges weren’t the only victims – 200 vultures lighted the involvement of the military, as hotspots for ivory trading.’ and put in places where elephants are that had fed on the carcasses also died. organisation for conservation justice

44 africa geographic • april 2013 www.africageographic.com 45

IVORY ROUTES SPECIAL REPORT: IVORY

Lagos may claim the dubious honour where people screw one another over, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea and Togo of being the largest ivory market in so trust is a big deal. It’s the only thing among them, have not submitted seizure Africa, but there are other notorious that limits the ivory trade, otherwise it records since 1989, when ETIS was estab- hotspots. Martin is convinced that would just go on until all the elephants lished, but are implicated in hundreds of Khartoum is complicit in providing a have been killed. And the prices would hauls elsewhere in the world. market for ivory poached up to 1 000 go up and up and up.’ If seizures are anything to go by, the kilometres away. ‘Khartoum gets raw dynamics of the large-scale ivory trade ivory from South Sudan, Central Africa LTHOUGH DOMESTIC AFRICAN MARKETS PLAY are changing. ‘For a long time, much of and Kenya. The city is supplied by a part in the international trade, the trade left Africa through the Atlantic Sudanese horsemen returning here from most of Africa’s ivory is exported Ocean side – Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon. further west,’ he says. Like most other Ain tusk form to Asia. China is the Now it’s all shifted to Mombasa, Dar es domestic ivory markets, sales here are biggest importer, followed by Thailand Salaam, Mozambique,’ says Milliken. ‘I out of made mostly to Chinese nationals. The and, increasingly, Laos. Based on the think that West Africa is just too far From the continent’s savannas andAFRICA forests to the markets of Lagos, Kinshasa and Sudanese capital also serves as conduit to number of ivory seizures, Kenya and away from accessible elephants now. All Cairo, through the ports of Mombasa, Dar es Salaam and Cape Town and on to Asia, Cairo, another major African market, Tanzania are the principal exit points – of those big populations along the the movement of ivory involves thousands of people, complex organisation, and though in recent years the route has between them, the two countries account major roads and waterways in Central been throttled to some extent by an for more than two-thirds of ivory confis- Africa have gone.’ The fact that less complicity and corruption at every level. increase in border security. cated en route to Asia (although seizure ivory is being intercepted in the region Cairo, of course, is situated well out- rate might not be a true indicator of seems to bear this out. ‘Large consign- HEN IT COMES TO ELEPHANTS, WEST dramatic increase in Chinese nationals in 300 000 are currently working in the side the range of African elephants but, shipment volume). ments of ivory moving out of West and Africa is an enigma. The region the country, from an estimated 2 000 in country. ‘Luanda used to be a big ivory despite a decline since the 1990s, it In terms of air freight, Kenya’s Jomo Central Africa have become minimal, has very few of the animals, yet 2001 to 100 000 by 2007. ‘Ivory is cheap market – we have no recent information remains one of the largest ivory markets Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) collectively constituting only 11 per Wit hosts a booming trade in here compared to in China. Much of it is – but there’s no reason to think it isn’t on the continent. Trading in ivory is serves as a transit hub for many West, cent of the total of large-scale ivory seiz- ivory. This anomaly was first given wide- taken out by pocket or in hand baggage.’ still,’ says Martin. Angola has few ele- banned here too but, again, as Martin Central and even southern African ures in the past few years, a threefold spread attention in a 2003 report by Similarly, Angola hosts an increasing phants itself, so it is likely that demand and Vigne discovered during their in- countries and international markets. reduction from the period 2000–2008.’ TRAFFIC, and Ofir Drori of LAGA Wildlife number of Chinese nationals – some is satisfied by the DRC. vestigation in 2011, the laws are not For instance, 456 kilograms of ivory Moreover, the ETIS data suggest that Law Enforcement is quick to confirm enforced. Raw tusks are carved, albeit (158 tusks) intercepted in Bangkok in some consignments leaving East Africa that its findings remain relevant today. crudely, and sold. Many of its patrons include ivory sourced from Central ‘There are many countries in West Africa used to hail from Spain, Italy and the US, Those markets, like Lagos, Africa. ‘This indicates ongoing cross- with only 20–30 elephants left. Of course but Chinese nationals are now the prin- say, “We’re here, we’re border trade from the DRC through they have more ivory than elephants!’ cipal buyers, with Egyptians and Gulf Uganda and on to Kenya and Tanzania he says. ‘Guinea has 30 elephants if we Arabs increasing in prominence. reliable. Buy something, for export to Asia,’ says Milliken. For are lucky – we seized more ivory than Elsewhere, Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa mar- build a trust, we can sell now it remains unclear whether the fall that from a single dealer. Togo has a very ket fluctuates in size and importance (it you hundreds of kilograms in large consignments of ivory seized out tiny population; Sierra Leone has no ele- was thriving when TRAFFIC conducted its of West and Central Africa reflects a phants remaining whatsoever, and nei- last survey in 2008), Maputo in Mozam- later.” - Ofir Drori decline in the elephant populations in ther does Ivory Coast. These are all bique hosts southern Africa’s largest mar- the western part of the Congo Basin or a countries that are active in the trade in a ket and ivory is still being sold openly in 2012 had gone there en route from switch in routes to East Africa. very serious way.’ the DRC capital of Kinshasa. Kinshasa. Other shipments also bound Even South Africa, where elephant Last year wildlife trade researchers Ofir Drori is unequivocal about the for Thailand came through JKIA via poaching seems negligible, is being Esmond Martin and Lucy Vigne surveyed role domestic sales play. ‘No trade in Angola and Ghana. ‘Looking at the data, implicated in the trade. There have only the huge ivory market in Lagos, Nigeria. ivory is domestic – it doesn’t exist. I there is increasing evidence of ivory been a handful of seizures in recent The sale of ivory has been banned here would state this categorically. No ivory is being air freighted. It used to be prohibi- years, but trafficking through the coun- since 2011, but the laws are simply not sold that does not leave the country. The tively expensive, but we have records of try is increasing dramatically. Take Cape enforced. ‘This is by far the biggest ivory prices you have inside a country and the shipments as large as 800 kilograms com- Town. ‘In 2012 almost three tonnes of market in Africa,’ says Martin. ‘Ivory here prices you pay outside – there is such a ing in by air now. That’s huge – very, ivory were taken into custody in the comes from all over the place – most huge gap that it doesn’t make sense for very expensive – but it’s happening,’ says Western Cape – that is a substantial is from countries like the Democratic any ivory to be left in the country.’ TRAFFIC’s Tom Milliken, who also heads amount,’ says Christina Pretorius from Republic of Congo (DRC), Cameroon and The real role of ivory markets, he up the Elephant Trade Information the International Fund for Animal the Republic of Congo in Central Africa, contends, is to connect with interna- System (ETIS). Welfare. Her concern mirrors figures but some from as far afield as Kenya and tional dealers. ‘It’s like an advertise- The largest consignments, however, are released by Cape Nature, the provincial Tanzania.’ ment to get in contact to make bigger still transported by sea. INTERPOL and conservation body. ‘From 2002 to date, As for who is doing the buying, he deals,’ he says. ‘Those markets, like ETIS regard such large-scale shipments 39 cases have been registered in the says, ‘We didn’t see any non-Chinese Lagos, say, “We’re here, we’re reliable, (800 kilograms or more) as a proxy mea- Western Cape involving 6 469 kilograms people buying ivory.’ Many of them here it is. Buy something, build a trust, sure for assessing the involvement of of ivory,’ says Paul Gildenhuys from its would have been involved in so-called we can sell you hundreds of kilograms organised crime. ‘The engagement of Biodiversity Crime Unit. ‘Since 2009 ‘ant trafficking’ – the movement of small later.” Nobody will do business with criminal syndicates in the illicit trade in there has been a drastic increase in the amounts of ivory by a large number of you for 600 tusks if you haven’t bought ivory between Africa and Asia is becom- number of elephant ivory cases – 99 per people for personal use or re-sale in Asia. several times before and shown that ing increasingly entrenched,’ says Mil- cent of the ivory seized in the Western

Martin points to statistics showing a you can be trusted. This is a business liken. Several African countries, Angola, Cape since 2002.’  Riccardo Prevattoni, GRID-Arendal, www.grida.no/graphicslib/detail/illegal-ivory-trafficking-routes_486e

46 africa geographic • april 2013 www.africageographic.com 47 IVORY ROUTES

Who are the ivory merchants? ‘You cannot assume that all the syndicates are in the Far East,’ says Ofir Drori. ‘Some of them are based here in Africa.’ In 2006 Hong Kong customs seized 603 tusks in a container from Cameroon. Ostensibly it was filled with timber, but a false compart- ment hid a mountain of ivory. The find prompted a high-level collaboration between authorities in Asia and Cameroon, and their subsequent investi- gation uncovered two more containers, similarly rigged, that had been used by the same syndicate to smuggle ivory. Tusks from 900 dead elephants could be trans- ported at a time and, based on fragments discovered inside, the containers were reg- ularly recycled. The shipments were linked to the noto- rious Teng group, long suspected of being involved in various criminal activities. ‘These are people who used to export 600 tusks out of Douala in Cameroon to the Far East every two months,’ says Drori. ‘For two-and-a-half years they – Taiwanese nationals and one Filipino – used an import–export company operating out of a normal house in an upmarket residential suburb in Yaoundé as a front.’ In the 1980s, the same syndicate had operated in Riccardo Prevattoni, GRID-Arendal, www.grida.no/graphicslib/detail/large-scale-ivory-seizures_6732 a similar way in Nigeria. N LEAVING AFRICA, SHIPPING ROUTES ARE when 707 ivory tusks were seized just ‘So here is a criminal syndicate that has often tortuous and difficult to inside Vietnam’s border with China, its been making around US$4-million every trace. The 1 500 pieces of tusks destination. ‘Vietnamese authorities have two months for years, has been linked to Ointercepted in Malaysia last got quite a bit better at controlling ivory money laundering and drug trafficking, December, for instance, left the West flow through the country,’ says Simon and has been doing this since the 1980s. African port of Lomé in Togo and transit- Hedges from the Wildlife Conservation It’s the only ivory cartel in the world being ed in Algeciras, Spain, before moving on Society. ‘What seems to be happening as prosecuted, but now its leaders have fled to Malaysia. a result is that both Laos and Cambodia Cameroon and are on the run,’ says Drori. ‘All the large-scale ivory seizures seem are becoming important transit routes. He believes there are at least five more to be heading towards China, whether Thailand too, because ivory is like water syndicates like the Tengs in Africa that they are confiscated there or not,’ says – it will follow the path of least resis- have evaded authorities. ‘It reminds me of Milliken. Six or seven years ago the tance.’ That would explain the emer- the arms trade. Imagine what it takes to country intercepted a series of ship- gence of Cambodia’s only deep-water gather 600 tusks every two months, and to ments and, since then, its law enforce- port at Shihanoukville as a substitute have done this since the 1980s without ment has actively targeted containers trade route. any interruption. You need to employ coming from Africa carrying descrip- And although China is considered the hundreds of poachers and carefully coordi- tions of certain products. ‘I will say that worst protagonist, it is by no means the nate them. You have to control dozens of China has really upped its law enforce- only end-user nation. ‘While countries like corrupt colonels and magistrates to secure ment – and so the criminal syndicates Malaysia are primary transit points, China your business. You need a hierarchy inside have adapted,’ he explains. ‘So they and Thailand are the main markets since your operations – one very strong person might, say, try to get the container into the demand in Japan has really fallen off,’ at the top who enforces this discipline, Malaysia, change the documentation so says Hedges. ‘There’s a tiny bit of end use and [makes sure that] anyone who steals it looks like the consignment is originat- for ivory in the Philippines, and Laos is disappears. This is what the Mafia looks ing from Malaysia, and then send it on selling increasing amounts of ivory to tour- like.’ Drori’s frustration bubbles over. ‘So to China.’ ists.’ It remains to be seen what effect Thai- many seizures and still no heads of syndi- The choice of countries serving as tran- land’s recent announcement of a ban on cates in jail. It is an amazing fact; it is an sits depends on conditions at the time. its domestic ivory trade will have on routes amazing failure.’ Milliken refers to a case in April 2011 and supply.

48 africa geographic • april 2013 THE ASIAN MARKET SPECIAL REPORT: IVORY

national legislation with the goal of put- ting an end to the ivory trade and to be in line with international norms,’ she said. While her statement is potentially seen as a big step forward, it is not clear how it the ASIAN DILEMMA may affect domestic ivory trade in the country and, given its poor history of fol- In recent times the main lowing up on such promises, when those ivory markets have been changes might be implemented. centred in the Far East: Japan China for its sheer size apan is a story of demand reduction,’ and voracious appetite ‘J says Milliken. ‘In its heyday the Japanese market consumed 300 tonnes of for the product; Thailand, ivory a year, easily. Now the dealers tell where the market, for me they are using between five and 10 tonnes that are coming from legal different reasons, is big stocks of ivory – and that they had lots of too; and Japan, once a stock when the ban came in.’ The ETIS data confirm that Japan isn’t a major big league player, but now country of concern. ‘For about a decade showing a diminishing now we haven’t seen any large-scale ivory seizures directed to Japan.’ demand. So what makes According to wildlife trade experts these markets tick? Lucy Vigne and Esmond Martin, who surveyed the Japanese ivory markets in martin harvey istockphoto.com/akabei 2009, this dip in demand can be ex-­ In Japan there is constant and stable demand for plained, in part, by the country’s eco­ Thailand consumed by Chinese, which means nomy, which has been in recession since ‘hard’ or forest elephant ivory hailand has a poor track record when that it stays in China for the most part. 1990. ‘Fewer Japanese people are buying Tit comes to the ivory trade. ‘Thailand But in Thailand most of the buyers are luxury ivory goods,’ they point out. ‘The transactions to documents for buying a deterrent to ivory carvers and vendors. has one of the largest unregulated ivory European, North American and Aus­ Japanese are steadily becoming more car. But Japan has recently passed legis­ And with the exception of antiques, markets in the world and the largest in tralian tourists,’ says Milliken. ‘With so westernised and ivory has therefore lation making name seals obsolete. ‘Now the export of ivory is also prohibited in South-east Asia,’ says Tom Milliken of many foreign visitors, a healthy percent- become less fashionable.’ people use signatures,’ says Milliken. Japan in line with the 1990 CITES ban, TRAFFIC. Although this fact is well age of the seizures made in the US, In fact when Vigne and Martin carried These days, the most common material which means foreign visitors may no known in wildlife trade circles, it comes Europe and Australia are trinkets from out their survey, some 80 per cent of for hankos is horn from the Asian do­- longer buy these items to take home. as a surprise to most people. ‘While trade Thailand.’ tusks were being used to produce signa- m­estic water buffalo. More recently, Tomoaki Nishihara from in Thailand is smaller than that in The most obvious way to curb the ture stamps called hankos. But that has Other factors that have reduced the Widlife Conservation Society has China, it still exerts huge influence,’ trade would be to regulate the industry, changed. ‘The seals were used to sign demand include strict government regula- looked at demand. ‘In Japan there is con-

continues Milliken. ‘I’d say there is per- which would be difficult to enforce, or to everything from pay cheques and bank tions that, unlike those in China, act as a stant and stable demand for “hard” or  haps a 25 per cent/75 per cent split in shut it down completely. ‘There’s no pro- trade between Thailand and China.’ And vision within the legislation at the ABOVE Forest elephants. The dense tusks of these elusive pachyderms, which inhabit the given the size of the Chinese market, moment to discriminate against African rainforests of West and Central Africa, are in that’s huge. ivory, so the whole system here needs regular demand on the Japanese market. So why is Thailand such a global player better legislation and enforcement, DNA LEFT A haul of ivory that was confiscated in in the illegal ivory trade? The country testing and legal protection of products Singapore and returned to Tsavo East National owes its dubious notoriety to its own legis- from African elephants,’ says Elisabeth cites Park, Kenya. lation, which sanctions trade in ivory McLellan of WWF. ‘There are a lot of calling for a ban may seem like an over­ OPPOSITE, ABOVE Thailand hosts one of the from domestic, working elephants, al-­ provisions that need to be in place to reaction, repeated calls to tighten up the largest and most active ivory industries in the though not wild Asian elephants. This make a workable system in Thailand. ivory trading system in the country have world. Its customers include Western tourists, especially those from the US, Europe and industry is wholly unregulated, so there And because there are so many [require- failed to produce results. ‘For more than a Australia. are no checks into the origin of the ivory, ments], we are saying that a ban is the decade there have been requests from which can legally be displayed and sold in best way out of this situation.’ CITES to address some of these issues and OPPOSITE, BELOW Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has pledged to end her country’s Thai markets. The consequence? Perfect In 2002, the Elephant Trade Infor­ these have not been implemented to a involvement in the ivory trade. conditions for laundering African ivory mation System (ETIS) was established to necessary level,’ continues McLellan. into the market, which mixes it un­curb­­- track the illegal trade in ivory and other At the opening of the CITES Conference ed with that from local elephants. elephant products. According to its of the Parties held in Bangkok last month, Thailand is also the largest tourist des- records, since its inception Thailand has Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shi­nawatra tination in the region, exposing many been in the top handful of countries promised to end the nation’s involve- foreigners to ivory. ‘In China the ivory is implicated in the illegal trade, so while ment in the trade. ‘We will amend the ifaw/d. willetts

50 africa geographic • april 2013 www.africageographic.com 51 WHOTHE ASIAN& HOW MARKET SPECIAL REPORT: IVORY

customers from taking the identification cards that corresponded to the item pur- chased. ‘When people sell a piece of ivory they hang on to the permit and use it as many times as they want. So effectively you can launder poached ivory though the legal system; it has all the appearance of being legal, but it’s from an illegal source,’ confirms Knights. Ivory sales have surged too. The total number of ivory items auctioned on record in mainland China in 2011 was more than double that of the previous year. According to an auction newsletter, 11 100 ivory pieces were reportedly auc- tioned in 2011, with an estimated price of US$95.4-million. That’s 170 per cent more than the 2010 figure. ‘In China economic growth is incred­ ibly fast, and so education, awareness and general worldliness are not keeping wildaid pace,’ says Knights. People there are sim- forest elephant ivory,’ he says. One par- ivory product registration and certification 158 ivory carving and retail outlets sur- ply not aware of the situation for ele- ticular item that uses this so-called ‘hard’ system. Sales are restricted to Chinese veyed, 101 had no licences. Illegal laun- phants in Africa. Cutting demand will be ivory (the ivory of forest elephants is nationals and the product may not be trad- dering of ivory is rife even in supposedly key to saving the continent’s elephants, a more dense than that of savanna ele- ed outside the country. The system was legal facilities too – 60 per cent of message that is conveyed by WildAid’s phants) is the bachi, the plectrum of a developed in 2004 to meet CITES condi- licensed retailers violated the system in mantra ‘When the buying stops, the kill- shamisen, a popular traditional Japanese tions to purchase stockpiled ivory, and some way to launder contraband ivory. ing can too’. ifaw/guo tieliu musical instrument. A single bachi uses specifies that only government-approved Taken together, the unlicensed and non- ‘Our conclusion is that if you don’t stop awareness about the fact that every piece ABOVE Animal-friendly souvenirs are available in China. These were found at the Panjiayuan one large tusk – weighing 15-plus kilo- ivory processing and retail outlets can compliant ivory facilities outnumbered the market, whatever you do in Africa, of ivory comes from a dead elephant – if Antiques Market in Beijing. grams – to manufacture. ‘This trend dif- engage in trade. legal ones nearly six to one. you’re not going to stop ivory leaking you don’t buy ivory, the animals won’t fers from that in China, which has a While this might work in theory, in The registration system is abused too. out,’ Knights declares. ‘We’ve recently die. In 2011, the campaign message was OPPOSITE, ABOVE On a billboard, popular basketball star Yao Ming exhorts his country­- higher consumption of ivory but where practice the system is widely abused. Every piece of ivory weighing more than done a survey of the three main cities in adopted into China’s national college men to support the war against ivory trading. no preference for soft or hard ivory According to IFAW’s 2011 report ‘Making 50 grams requires an identification card China (Beijing, Shanghai and Chang­ entrance exams, which were taken by exists,’ Nishihara explains. And while a killing’, which looked into the ivory and yet IFAW found that 20 of 32 accredit- zhou) [that demonstrated that] 50 per nine million applicants. OPPOSITE, BELOW Ivory items on sale in China. there is no strong evidence that ivory trade in five coastal cities in China, there ed retail shops did not have the required cent of the people are not aware there is WildAid has recently launched an ivory from forest elephants is being smuggled were nearly twice as many unlicensed cards to match their ivory products. And in any sort of elephant poaching problem in awareness campaign on the back of their into Japan, he is worried that the remain- ivory dealers as licensed ones. Of the many licensed shops, vendors discouraged Africa, 50 per cent have no idea how to successful shark-fin drive. They plan to not like any other phenomena we’ve seen ing stocks of hard ivory in the country differentiate legal from illegal ivory, and get into consumers’ faces. ‘It doesn’t mat- on the planet before. will not be sufficient to meet demand. 50 per cent think that the ivory comes ter what CITES does or what biologists say ‘Anything that gets caught up in that His research suggests that local dealers from natural elephant mortality.’ or what conservationists write. At the end maelstrom is going to be problematic. have limited knowledge of the domestic But that’s not to say things can’t be of the day it’s about the eco­nomies,’ And so all we can do is try to keep pace ivory trade control system and have not turned round. ‘A lot of stuff I think the claims Knights. ‘The only way to inter- by using the very techniques that are applied it. ‘The Japanese ivory manage- rest of the world takes for granted in cede is to inject yourself into the eco­ growing the economy – advertising ment system should be re-evaluated and terms of ivory and elephant poaching nomies and that is basically why we are space, video billboards – we’re trying to improved, focusing on hard ivory stock has just not been publicised in China,’ using advertising techniques. We sell utilise that to put a different perspective management,’ he warns. reckons Knights. ‘I’ve heard some people conservation in the same way that Nike on things.’ saying “people have been educated and it sells sneakers. We use celebrities, we use Part of the change that China needs is a China hasn’t worked”, but they really haven’t slick advertising, we try to get repetition growing consciousness about consumer- hile Japan’s economy might be in been educated. It hasn’t been seen as an in your face all the time and to brand ism. ‘We’ve been lucky enough to get some Wdecline, China’s continues to boom, issue that pertains to China.’ conservation as a positive attribute and of the most prominent Asian voices, such and with it demand for ivory. ‘Ivory is an How to get that message across, though, consumption­­ as a negative one.’ as (basketball star) Yao Ming and actor ostentatious form of wealth,’ says Peter remains one of the principal challenges. Knights likens this to a new war, a con- Jackie Chan, on our side to tell people: Knights from WildAid. ‘What you see One of the biggest successes to date has temporary battleground for conservation. “Hang on a minute, this is not a good here is a huge consumption of brands been IFAW’s ‘Mom, I got teeth’ posters, ‘Reports, biology, international confer- idea”.’ Short of an economic collapse in and luxury goods, and ivory is just which depict an elephant mother and her ences are the old world – it’s obviously all China, the two elements most likely to another luxury item.’ calf walking into the sunset across the important and it’s great – but global reduce demand to the benefit of Africa’s In theory China has a regulated ivory African savanna. Displayed at airports and economies are moving so quickly, espe- elephants are an ivory registration and cer- market, but its rules only apply if the prod- in subways in major cities across the cially in the case of China. Not only is tification system that works and a change uct is bought according to the country’s country, the posters aim to raise consumer the pace very fast, but the scale is vast, in consumer attitude towards ivory. ifaw/lisa hua

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SOLUTIONS SPECIAL REPORT: IVORY

LAGA Wildlife Law Enforcement. ‘These are In the wake of its shocking poaching sta- discretion, we know that begins to provide the statistics from the countries we work in. tistics this year, Gabon is also keen to safe havens for other sorts of threats to This is how much of a threat it is.’ increase penalties – new legislation will up people and governments,’ she added. ‘This Corruption is also pervasive in the Demo- the prison term for commercial ivory is a global challenge that spans continents cratic of Congo (DRC) and Tanzania, where poaching to three years, 15 if organised and crosses oceans, and we need to address ivory poaching and trafficking are rife, crime is involved. it with partnerships that are as robust and despite the best attempts of authorities who far-reaching as the criminal networks we are on the right side of the law. HEARTS & MINDS seek to dismantle.’ Even if those involved in the trade are While bolstering conservation services and But between the countries involved in actually arrested, prosecuting them suc- bringing in the army are important, there the ivory trade, both in Africa and the Far cessfully is far from guaranteed. ‘In 80 per are other potential solutions that could East, these kinds of partnerships are tenu- cent of legal cases against wildlife traffick- work on the ground. ‘Low-tech solutions ous as best. ‘Obviously, there isn’t enough ers in Central Africa, I can tell you who can be just as useful, as shown by the suc- cooperation, that’s why the situation is so was trying to bribe whom – we even have cess of the community conservation move- serious,’ says Bill Clark, Wildlife Crime So, what are we going to do? With escalating recordings of judges and magistrates as ment in the north of Kenya and in Officer for INTERPOL. ‘We are aware of this poaching, a notable increase in the involvement they were trying to negotiate a bribe. Some Namibia,’ reasons Iain Douglas-Hamilton and are taking substantive steps to of organised crime and a rampant market in Asia, of the people involved are public officials – of Save the Elephants. In Kenya, Ian Craig enhance it.’ In 2012 the organisation ran principally China, the future looks bleak. ‘There’s we put an army captain behind bars, a oversees the Northern Rangelands Trust Operation Worthy, involving 14 countries a feeling among a very large number of people police commissioner behind bars, a senior and has first-hand experience of the bene- across East, West and southern Africa and divisional officer [the highest local authori- fits of community engagement. ‘They’re targeting criminal organisations involved that we don’t know what to do about the current ty for a province] behind bars,’ Drori con- seeing better security for themselves, [and] in the illegal ivory trade. To date, it has crisis. Last time, back in the 1970s and ’80s, the tinues. ‘Denouncing corruption doesn’t money being generated from tourism resulted in more than 200 arrests and obvious thing to do was to “have a ban”,’ says work. The answer is to fight it in real time going into education, water projects. the seizure of nearly two tonnes of contra- Simon Hedges, who heads up the ivory pro- and that’s what we do.’ Where these benefits are clean and clear to band ivory. It brought together some gramme of the Wildlife Conservation Society communities, elephants are being success- 300 officers from a range of agencies,

(WCS). ‘Now of course we have a ban, yet illegal PUNISHMENTS TO FIT THE CRIME fully protected by local people,’ he says. including police, customs, environmental  trade is escalating. A lot of the obvious things The case of the Chinese nationals let off on If value in activities other than poaching to do are no longer available, because they’ve a US$340 fine for smuggling ivory through can be found, then the incentives to kill Kenya (see ‘An appetite for destruction’, elephants are reduced. ‘Commercial hunt- already been done – though I’m not sure that’s OPPOSITE There is no magic solution to the poach- completely true,’ he continues. ‘Some things just page 34) highlights the need for Africa to ers are the proximate cause of elephant ing threat facing elephants; rather, more work done need to be done better, or done in more places.’ treat wildlife crime more seriously. In too poaching in Central Africa and according better needs to happen at multiple levels. rudi van aarde many countries, even if an ivory poacher to them, they would stop killing elephants BELOW A member of an elite rapid response unit or trader is arrested and tried, poaching is if alternative sources of income were avail- in Garamba National Park, the DRC. African coun- regarded as nothing more than a petty able,’ says Dan Stiles in his IUCN report tries are starting to beef up on-the-ground security offence. In South Sudan lack of adequate ‘Elephant meat trade in Central Africa’. in protected areas, but this means redirecting resources within budgets that are already legal recourse is a real problem. Gabriel ‘Special efforts should be made with these stretched. Changson Chang, the country’s wildlife, hunters to provide education, training and conservation and tourism minister, is quot- employment as an incentive to cease kill- ed as saying ‘We have apprehended so ing elephants.’ many poachers, caught red-handed ... but But, competing with steadily increasing because of this legal vacuum it is very diffi- ivory prices is difficult. ‘During a recent cult to prosecute them’. visit to Mozambique, we were told that the way AHEAD There is, however, a growing realisation some individuals were leaving secure and of the seriousness of wildlife crimes, partic- relatively well-paid jobs in the tourism and FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE number of soldiers and police officers that euros must be invested in terms of minis- ularly when big business is involved. hunting industry in Niassa [National Throughout Africa, protecting elephants is patrol its protected areas, and the tries of defence, wildlife departments and Kenya’s new Wildlife Bill, currently under Reserve] to work as ivory couriers – at best being given greater priority. More rangers Namibian Defence Force has been enlisted intelligence communities, re-routed from review, proposes much stiffer penalties for a few days per month – because the remu- are being put on the ground and many are to track poachers in the Caprivi region. the normal security tasks.’ Surely such ivory-related convictions, and Uganda is neration was so much better,’ warns Mary better equipped. In countries such as Modern technologies, such as unmanned costs cannot be sustained as poaching currently amending its Wildlife Act so Rice, executive director of the Environ- Chad, Gabon, Cameroon, Botswana and aerial vehicles (UAVs), have been touted as intensifies? that poaching carries a minimum fine of mental Investigation Agency (EIA). Namibia, the army has been called in to well (see Africa Geographic, February 2012). US$75 000 and a 10-year prison sentence. supplement anti-poaching efforts. Gabon All this, however, comes at a fiscal cost COMBATING CORRUPTION The Republic of Congo may implement COORDINATING COOPERATION has reportedly more than quadrupled its that African range states must pay, even Corruption is a major challenge across the similar measures. ‘Owing to corruption lev- ‘Trafficking relies on porous borders, cor- park staff in the past three years and has though they are not the drivers behind continent. Even when poachers and ivory els, we are pushing very hard for a presi- rupt officials and strong networks of organ- increased its budget 15-fold to pursue increased trade. Bas Huijbregts, WWF’s traffickers are caught, bringing them to dential decree to create a National ised crime, all of which undermine our poaching gangs, while Cameroon sent in Head of Policy – Illegal Wildlife Trade in book is another issue that undermines ele- Prosecuting Unit on endangered species, mutual security,’ said then Secretary of 600 members of its special military forces, Central Africa, explains: ‘We need to cre- phant conservation. ‘Imagine how dysfunc- with a dedicated prosecutor empowered to State Hillary Clinton in 2012, as she called the Rapid Intervention Battalion, in the ate that link between areas where ivory is tional a police force is when 85 per cent of arrest any perpetrators, regardless of their for a global strategy to dry up the demand wake of events at Bouba N’Djida National poached, transit countries and demand its work will not produce any arrests position,’ says Leon Lamprecht, who works for trafficked wildlife goods. ‘Where crimi- Park. Botswana recently increased the countries. Hundreds of thousands of because of corruption,’ says Ofir Drori from in the country for African Parks. nal gangs can come and go at their total David Santiago Garcia/african parks

54 africa geographic • april 2013 www.africageographic.com 55 SOLUTIONS

protection agencies, veterinary services, possible to overlay DNA profiles from con- for a change. DNA testing is one sure airport security, ministries of tourism and fiscated ivory – and to work out where it method of targeting the hotspots and national prosecuting authorities. was poached. Among other successes, his directing enforcement to areas being tar- In 2010 the International Consortium to laboratory’s work has been crucial in trac- geted repeatedly. However, CITES has yet Combat Wildlife Crime (ICCWC), a collab- ing two large seizures back to their origins to seriously advocate this approach.’ oration between CITES, INTERPOL, the – the one mostly from Zambia, the other United Nations Office on Drugs and from Gabon. INTERPOL is acutely aware of CALL IN THE DOGS Crime, the World Bank and the World the value genetic evidence provides for an The use of sniffer dogs to detect ivory in Customs Organization, was established investigation. transit is becoming more widely recog- with the aim of supporting wildlife law ‘I would like to see it used much more, nised as a weapon in the arsenal against enforcement at both national and interna- but it requires that seizing agencies incor- the trade. Since Kenya Wildlife Service tional levels. One concern it hopes to porate DNA analysis into their many rou- (KWS) introduced sniffer dogs at Kenya’s address is the dearth of law enforcement tine procedures,’ says Bill Clark. ‘It is not airports in 2009, they have netted more actions that follow large-scale ivory absolutely simple – sampling must con- than eight tonnes of raw and worked seizures. form to an established protocol and with ivory. Their use is starting to take off in Even at a national level, there is a need both scientific and forensic requirements. southern Africa too. ‘Our sniffer dogs are for more coordinated law enforcement Ivory, even small samples, requires CITES trained to detect both rhino horn and efforts between appropriate organisations. applications and certificates, while ana- ivory, and are currently deployed at vari- Bas Huijbregts elaborates: ‘With more lyses cost money. Also, Asia needs to work ous cargo warehouses at OR Tambo arrests there is increasing information more closely with Africans when a seizure International Airport in South Africa,’ says coming from poachers, so we’re getting a is made.’ Kirsty Brebner from the Endangered picture of at least part of those networks. Recently, Hong Kong expressed reluc- Wildlife Trust (EWT). ‘We will soon be The problem is that it is fragmented tance to hand over samples for forensic expanding to other potentially high-risk IFAW/J. Decaux because law enforcement agencies do not testing while criminal investigations are areas.’ With the assistance of TRAFFIC, it ABOVE Consumer campaigns aimed at edu- really collaborate. We’ve consulted with still open, even though the results could looks as though Mozambique may shortly cating tourists and end-user countries are vital. There is an assumption that people who INTERPOL and, through TRAFFIC, we’re prove useful for prosecutions. It’s symp- approve the use of sniffer dogs too, while buy ivory know about the price that elephants pushing Central African governments to tomatic of a trend that frustrates Wasser. cities such as Lusaka may also see their – and other species – have paid for their trin- set up national coordination units com- ‘The problem is that most countries have deployment. kets, but this is by no means the case. prising elements of different law enforce- been very resistant to turning over their LEFT Elephant range states accumulate ment agencies – parks, wildlife, police, seizures for DNA testing. When we do get SECURING THE STOCKPILES ivory stockpiles, mostly from animals that NGOs, justice interior, customs, defence – samples to test, it is often a year or more Elephant range states keep stockpiles of have died of natural causes. Security around these stores is a huge concern, given the lev- to exchange data.’ after the event,’ he says. ‘It’s been a war of their ivory. Tanzania, for instance, holds els of complicity and corruption involved in attrition and many NGOs and other more than 100 tonnes, which it consid- the ivory trade, and has contributed to the decision by a number of countries to burn FOLLOW THE FORENSICS organisations have finally realised that ered applying to CITES for permission to the tusks. In 2001 Sam Wasser from the University of more pressure needs to be applied to get sell, while Zimbabwe’s vaults contain Washington, US, started a genetic map of these countries to do the right thing.’ 50 tonnes. These stockpiles comprise OPPOSITE Sam Wasser’s ivory DNA work has the potential to play an important role in Africa’s elephant populations. Given that Wasser works closely with INTERPOL and ivory retrieved from elephants that have the prosecution of trafficking cases, but DNA can be extracted from tusks, it is now NGOs that support DNA testing. ‘It’s time died of natural causes or, in the case of incorporating sample collections, which must countries like South Africa, through cull- conform to a series of protocols, as well as obtaining the necessary CITES permits and ing, as well as that seized from poachers. paying for analyses, is a complex process. With permission from CITES, this ivory could be sold legally. (Anything confiscat- Kristian Schmidt for WildAid ed from poachers is excluded – doing What to do? There seems to be no clear elephants must rapidly be shared in ivory blog, read by more than a million people otherwise would open up potential laun- directive, though destroying the ivory is consumer countries in the East.’ Getting in the country. In it he writes, ‘After wit- dering routes.) one option. Last year, both Kenya and that message across is something his nessing how illegal ivory was obtained, I Keeping piles of ivory is a risky busi- Gabon burned government-held stock- organisation, Save the Elephants, has really was speechless … it was a harrowing ness. ‘Having a stockpile in any location is piles. While neither country had any inten- worked closely on, together with the char- experience I never want to repeat, but always a concern,’ says the International tion of applying to sell the ivory, at least ity WildAid. something that everyone thinking of buy- Fund for Animal Welfare’s (IFAW) Grace now it can’t fall into the wrong hands. Using celebrities in campaigns isn’t a ing ivory should see – the wastefulness of Ge Gabriel. ‘Last year stockpiles were new idea, but it works. Take Yao Ming – these animals cruelly slaughtered just so stolen in Tanzania and Zambia. It’s impor- CONSUMER CAMPAIGNS former NBA basketball star, flag bearer for that a small part of them could be used. tant to maintain security, because em- Essentially, if there were no demand for China at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Would anyone buy ivory if they had wit- ployees were implicated in both the ivory ivory, elephants would not be killed. Or, as Games and commentator on the games nessed this?’ thefts – an indication of the level of cor- Iain Douglas-Hamilton puts it, ‘The root of for Chinese television. In 2012 he travelled Douglas-Hamilton sums up what many ruption in those countries.’ Botswana and the problem lies in excessive demand; to Africa for the first time to learn about of us feel. ‘Yao’s emotional response to Mozambique also lost ivory out of suppos- attempts to save the elephants will fail and raise awareness of the plight of Africa’s living, breathing, playing elephants and edly secure facilities. In several Asian unless it is tackled. Appetite for ivory can elephants and rhinos. to horrific faceless carcasses revealed the countries as well, including Thailand, the be changed, as it was in the West and in The campaign and public service powerful commonality of human Philippines and Malaysia, confiscated Japan, but such shifts take time, and announcements received widespread cov- responses and awareness needed to save ivory has gone missing. awareness of what is happening to erage in China, assisted by Yao’s popular elephants.’ IFAW/S. Cook

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