3. 4. 5. 6.
A permanent global ban on all commercial trade in ivory, including the closing down of legal markets too. Diplomatic pressure in elephant range and ivory consuming countries is required to strengthen the criminal justice response and demand-reduction efforts to combat wildlife crime. More effectively investigating and prosecuting wildlife crimes leading to an increased and accelerated response to wildlife crime that is commensurate with the criminality associated with serious organized crime. Targeted demand reduction initiatives are essential. These should include campaigns in ivory consuming countries and elephant range states to raise awareness about the cost, both human and wildlife, of the ivory trade and the value of live elephants in the wild economy. Ecology and society at large.
In particular, we would urge you to: 1. Publicly announce support for a complete ban on commercial international and domestic trade in ivory and call for the closure of parallel commercial legal markets for ivory. 2. Support demand-reduction efforts by directing the destruction of ivory confiscated in New Zealand (except that which is required for training and educational purposes). 3. Actively lead and participate in the London Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade scheduled to take place in February 2014 and to encourage world governments at the Conference to support a complete ban on commercial trade in ivory and adopt effective measures to combat wildlife crime. 4. Ensure investment of resources to effectively combat wildlife crime in New Zealand and abroad, including providing sustained funding for any relevant National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), such as the New Zealand Wildlife Enforcement Group. 5. Convene a task force which includes membership of relevant agencies from the New Zealand government as well as key non-governmental bodies and other stakeholders to (prepare an effective strategy to combat wildlife crime). To identify more specific operational support New Zealand can provide to address site and regional specific wildlife crime situations, leaving a legacy beyond the 2014 London Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade. Today thousands around the world are joining hands as a global entity for the protection of elephants and we would ask you to please do the same. International cooperation from World Leaders is fundamental to the survival of this iconic species. Yours sincerely,
Dame Daphne Sheldrick DBE Founder and Chair of The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
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