Banner Image “Elaborately Carved Tusks” Courtesy of Kate Wong UK Petition – “Shut down the domestic ivory market in the UK“ The United Kingdom Ivory Trade – Should there be a blanket ban on all ivory trading? Let’s take a look at the high end of the ‘legal’ antique ivory trade. Figure …
World Lion Day, the African Lion and CITES
On the 10 August, it will be World Lion Day……so what events can we look forward to that gives us hope that this iconic species can survive in the wild for future generations to see and enjoy? In September this year, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of …
Global March for Elephants and Rhino
CITES Conference of Parties (CoP17), 24 Sept – 5 October 2016, Johannesburg, South Africa As we approach the CITES (CoP17), there are proposals for key African species: ‘Uplist’ the African lion (Panthera leo) to CITES Appendix I; Inclusion of all populations of Loxodonta africana (African elephant) in Appendix I through the …
Is South Africa a Worthy CoP17 Host?
In September 2016, CITES will convene the Conference of Parties (CoP17) in Johannesburg, South Africa. However, questions have to be raised of the host nation, namely the South African Minister for Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa who will be welcoming delegates and hosting events at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. This is …
UK Government’s Stance on Lion Trophy Hunting
Following the 24 November 2015, Adjournment Debate “African Lion Numbers,” IWB wrote to Mr Rory Stewart MP (letter dated 3 December 2015), the United Kingdom’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) seeking clarity. An informative and somewhat reassuring reply from DEFRA (DEFRA’s letter, dated 21 January 2016) has now been …
United Kingdom Adjournment Debate, “African Lion Numbers”
DEFRA response dated 21 January 2016 _______________________________________________________ “Zimbabwe and Mozambique Lion Trophy Imports Bans Imminent,” LionAid, 3 December 2015 “LionAid believe there to be no more than 40 lion trophy males left now in Zambia, so this ban is very good news indeed, especially since Zambia has stated it will …
Commoditisation of Rhino Horn Trade ‘Self-Approved’ in South Africa
Update, 17 March 2016 – South Africa attempts to surreptitiously ‘legalise’ rhino horn harvesting – South Africa’s Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa “pre-empts” recommendations of on-going ‘Committee of Inquiry’ with Department of Environmental Affairs budget documents stating that “South Africa will submit its rhino horn trade proposal at CITES COP 17.” “Last May, a group …
The EU’s Stance on Trophy Hunting and Trophy Imports
Safari Club International European Advocacy Initiative, November 2015 Safari Club International (SCI) is worried, that the “animal rights groups’ efforts” to “ban all forms of animal use activities” (do they really mean animal ‘use,’ or animal ‘abuse’ activities I wonder?) might be gaining too much influence over EU policy makers. SCI …
EU as a new Party to CITES: implications, opportunities and priorities
European Parliament, Brussels, 20 October 2015 Petition to Improve Protection of African Lions (plus Rhino and Elephants) I was privileged to attend (facilitated by The Born Free Foundation and Joanne Cruz, European Commission) the MEPs4Wildlife’s meeting in Brussels on 20 October – However, due to European Parliament building access security, I took …
“Ngala, Fighting for Lions” Filming in Progress
“Ngala, Fighting for lions” Update, 10 December 2015 “Ngala film is progressing steadily. We are about to finish a pilot that should help us get further funding for the following stages of the documentary. We already recorded the voice over with actor Jerome Flynn and everything is looking pretty amazing.” “PHASA, …