New Zealand Joins The Fight To Ban Ivory
The sale of ivory is a global problem, not just here in the States but around the globe. As the elephant population dwindles down to the point of extinction, people are joining together all over the world to push for a full ban on the sale of ivory.
Photo: Craig Neilson
Taking Action Beyond CITES: Extinction Is Not An Option!
In a statement from elephant advocate, Fiona Gordon, “data needed to be collected to provide the crucial supporting evidence for the main thrust of the petition which was to call for a ban on all ivory trading in New Zealand.”
She and fellow advocate, Virginia Woolf, came to the conclusion that it was “no longer enough for New Zealand to abide by CITES regulations alone in trying to monitor and control the trade in ivory because, as clearly emerged from the research, there are people involved in ivory trading here in NZ who seem to be ‘slipping through the cracks’.”
Fiona Gordon’s report reinforces the reasons for the key recommendations of the petition:
- There should be a ban on ALL ivory trading in New Zealand.
- The government needs to tighten up on its border controls
- Implement stronger penalties for those caught illegally trading in ivory as a strong deterrent and to signal to the international community that New Zealand takes it responsibilities seriously in stemming the now out of control illegal trade in wildlife which includes the trade in ivory.
- Holding an ivory crush of government held stockpiled illegal ivory would also sent out a message to the international community that New Zealand takes its international responsibilities seriously in stemming the illegal trade in ivory to preserve an iconic species.
- Extinction is not an option.
To read Fiona’s full report, please click the image below.
Children March For Their Future!
Children around the globe are growing up with the fear that iconic species such as elephants and rhinos may be extinct by the time they grow up. This reality has inspired many young activists to take action and stand up for the animals.
Will these children grow up in a world where elephants are extinct?
Is Fashion Worth Extinction?
Although many jewelry stores and online retailers claim that they do not support poaching, ivory jewelry is still being marketed. By making products available, this is still contributing to the demand for ivory products which actually encourages elephant poaching. Is a $50 pair of earrings worth the extinction of an iconic species?
Is the extinction of an iconic species worth wearing $50 earrings?
Listen To The Interview:
In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer talks to elephant advocates, Virginia Woolf and Fiona Gordon from New Zealanders For Endangered Wildlife about their amazing efforts to push through a full ban on the sale of ivory in New Zealand.
Meet Virgina Woolf and Fiona Gordon
Virginia Woolf an Auckland based high school teacher, elephant advocate and driving force behind the anti-ivory trade petition which is currently before the New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade select committee in Parliament. She was also one of the coordinators of the October 2013 Global March For Elephants.
Virginia’s motivation for her activism began when a friend in London informed her about the serious threat of extinction elephants faced due to poaching. This ‘awakening’ was then further reinforced by images and information available on FB as well as disturbing footage on YouTube, showing the impact of poaching on elephant herds. She was further inspired after reading an article titled ‘Blood Ivory’ by Bryan Christy in the Oct 2012 edition of National Geographic.
Virgina Woolf (pictured center left) with fellow activists.
Virginia also wanted to support the renowned and respected Dame Daphne Sheldrick’s plea for governments around the world to implement stronger anti ivory legislation to help save the elephants from the very real threat of extinction and therefore decided to sponsor, two baby elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust orphanage in Kenya towards that end. To help deal personally with the devastating impact of the worsening crisis facing the elephants, she decided she had to be proactive and try to do something positive here in NZ to help save the elephants by putting together a petition relevant to the NZ context. Consequently, over a 3 month period, 3,000 of signatures were collected online from around the world while 1300 were collected as paper copies predominantly from the Auckland region. John Banks, Virginia’s electorate Member of Parliament in Epsom at the time, willingly submitted the petition to parliament on her behalf in early May. She had made a special trip to parliament on 16th April to meet up with policy analyst Fiona Gordon and to officially hand over the petition and the report to John Banks on the steps of parliament.
Fiona Gordon is a policy analyst who organized the October 2013 Wellington March for Elephants. After meeting Virginia Woolf, they agreed to work together and created New Zealanders For Endangered Wildlife.
Fiona Gordon (left) and Virgina Woof (right)
Take Action!
If you would like to get involved, it doesn’t matter where you live! You can support local and global efforts.
Please visit March4ElephantsandRhinos.org, tweet, sign and do whatever you can to support their efforts. This is not just an issue in New Zealand but a global problem.
I agree! A full ban must be enforced and all ivory burned. Then there is no market for these low lifes to sell product.
We don’t really think about animals and what they are subjected to until they are gone.
There should be an international law banning the sale of ivory, the slaughter of elephants and rhinos and to also own anything made from their body parts.
It is indeed the world’s problem. The poachers need to be thrown in prison. Stiffer penalties must be enforced. These people who are responsible need to be held accountable for their actions.
Way to go New Zealanders! It is good to know that people all over are coming together! Great interview!
All people should do what these ladies have done. Follow your heart and end this mindless slaughter of sentient beings.
So, what about a family heirloom that is made from ivory? Am I supposed to just hand it over to be destroyed? It makes no sense.
YES! You should destroy it. The bigger question is, why would you even WANT to own something that was derived from the pain and suffering an elephant or any animal for that matter, endured?
Have you no sense of consciousness, Edna? Karma is a real bitch. Enjoy riding in the front seat of the Karma bus.
I have been following your work on neonics but had no idea there was still an issue with ivory much less this slaughter of elephants. Thank you for such great information! -Rob
50 OFF for all private proxies – buy proxies now on [Link deleted]