We broadly welcome the outcomes of today’s landmark London Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade as a strong indication that world leaders are finally getting serious about tackling international wildlife crime
Experts estimate approximately 50,000 elephants were killed in 2013 to satisfy the demand for ivory – largely from China. This level of poaching has not been seen since the 1980s. Without urgent action to end the ivory trade now, elephants may soon become extinct in parts of their range in Africa and Asia
Just days before UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s landmark Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade, the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency has set out the key actions it believes are essential to tackle the international organised criminal networks plundering the environment
We commend the United States Government’s inspiring step to destroy 5.4 tonnes of seized elephant ivory in Denver, Colorado. The stockpile represents 25 years of seizures of illegal ivory in the United States and its destruction will focus attention on the devastating impacts of the illegal wildlife trade
Progress towards addressing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) was made and the majority of Parties demonstrated a willingness to move towards a global agreement. This was despite India, the world’s 10th largest economy, blocking detailed discussions of the proposals
The poaching of rhinos in South Africa has increased by more than three rhinos a week on average since Environmental Minister Edna Molewa called for a legal international trade in rhino horn, according to analysis by the non-profit Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA)