Kenya burns over a hundred tons of elephant tusks and calls for a worldwide ban on ivory sales

[rooster59]

Kenya burns over a hundred tons of elephant tusks and calls for a worldwide ban on ivory sales



Kenyan authorities were preparing to burn a stockpile of over a hundred tons of elephant tusks on Saturday as a message to the world over the threat to animals from poaching.

Officials believe it to be the largest single destruction of ivory in history.

Conservationists say elephants could become extinct in the next 50 years.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta is supporting the call for a worldwide ban on ivory sales:

“There is convincing evidence that poaching is aided by international criminal syndicates. If fuels corruption. This directly threatens the capacity of our nations to achieve sustainable and meaningful social economic development.”

The number of elephants in Africa has plunged from 1.2 million in the 1970s to around 400,000 today.

Poaching for ivory resulted in the deaths of over 30,000 elephants a year from 2010 to 2012. The future for rhinos is even more bleak unless action is taken and is successful.

Demand for ivory, especially in China, is fuelling the poaching. Kenya wants to see a ban all sales of ivory, even in markets legal at present.

Conservationists want to see more prosecutions of poachers and deeper cooperation across boarders to catch offenders.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-04-30

[fittobethaied]

If this were true they would have furnished a photo with the tusks already on fire. Does anyone really believe that the poor and corrupt Kenyans are really going to destroy $750,000,000 worth of ivory at street value? It's already in the hands of some rich politician and on it's way through Thailand and headed for China.

[Koosdedooes]

If this were true they would have furnished a photo with the tusks already on fire. Does anyone really believe that the poor and corrupt Kenyans are really going to destroy $750,000,000 worth of ivory at street value? It's already in the hands of some rich politician and on it's way through Thailand and headed for China.

Maybe you should expand your horizons further and get out a bit more, plenty of video on the interweb showing this burning and its been standard practice in Kenya for many years

[eggers]

If this were true they would have furnished a photo with the tusks already on fire. Does anyone really believe that the poor and corrupt Kenyans are really going to destroy $750,000,000 worth of ivory at street value? It's already in the hands of some rich politician and on it's way through Thailand and headed for China.

In today's (Sun 01/05) "The Nation" there is a photo of the tasks presumably burning. But you're probably correct in that some of the tusks, probably didn't quite make it to be burned & were mysteriously "spirited" onto a flight out of the country!!

The sad part is that hundreds of elephants were slaughtered to simply end up as a pile of burnt detritus....and the slaughter will still go on without any African Gov'ts stopping this carnage!

[Tchooptip]

If this were true they would have furnished a photo with the tusks already on fire. Does anyone really believe that the poor and corrupt Kenyans are really going to destroy $750,000,000 worth of ivory at street value? It's already in the hands of some rich politician and on it's way through Thailand and headed for China.

Edited May 1, 2016 by Tchooptip

[Koosdedooes]

If this were true they would have furnished a photo with the tusks already on fire. Does anyone really believe that the poor and corrupt Kenyans are really going to destroy $750,000,000 worth of ivory at street value? It's already in the hands of some rich politician and on it's way through Thailand and headed for China.

In today's (Sun 01/05) "The Nation" there is a photo of the tasks presumably burning. But you're probably correct in that some of the tusks, probably didn't quite make it to be burned & were mysteriously "spirited" onto a flight out of the country!!

The sad part is that hundreds of elephants were slaughtered to simply end up as a pile of burnt detritus....and the slaughter will still go on without any African Gov'ts stopping this carnage!

not going to ask you to provide some verifiable sources of your assertions about ivory ending up on a flight out of Kenya

Edited May 1, 2016 by Koosdedooes

[leeedwards]

We will continue to witness the barbaric killing of elephants until all legal ivory trade is banned. The countries that still allow its trade should be put to shame.

[Koosdedooes]

We will continue to witness the barbaric killing of elephants until all legal ivory trade is banned. The countries that still allow its trade should be put to shame.

What all other forms of ivory such as Walrus and Narwhal etc

[eggers]

If this were true they would have furnished a photo with the tusks already on fire. Does anyone really believe that the poor and corrupt Kenyans are really going to destroy $750,000,000 worth of ivory at street value? It's already in the hands of some rich politician and on it's way through Thailand and headed for China.

In today's (Sun 01/05) "The Nation" there is a photo of the tasks presumably burning. But you're probably correct in that some of the tusks, probably didn't quite make it to be burned & were mysteriously "spirited" onto a flight out of the country!!

The sad part is that hundreds of elephants were slaughtered to simply end up as a pile of burnt detritus....and the slaughter will still go on without any African Gov'ts stopping this carnage!

not going to ask you to provide some verifiable sources of your assertions about ivory ending up on a flight out of Kenya

Fine, other than a few shots with smoke exuding from the tusk pyres , no photos shown at end of bonfires.... so if a few remaining pieces weren't destroyed, you don't think they would be sold as part of a " Fire Sale" to highest bidder??

[Thaiwine]

IMO destroying this ivory is so wrong

They are making the ivory more rare and more valuable increasing the motivation to kill more elephants

[Koosdedooes]

If this were true they would have furnished a photo with the tusks already on fire. Does anyone really believe that the poor and corrupt Kenyans are really going to destroy $750,000,000 worth of ivory at street value? It's already in the hands of some rich politician and on it's way through Thailand and headed for China.

In today's (Sun 01/05) "The Nation" there is a photo of the tasks presumably burning. But you're probably correct in that some of the tusks, probably didn't quite make it to be burned & were mysteriously "spirited" onto a flight out of the country!!

The sad part is that hundreds of elephants were slaughtered to simply end up as a pile of burnt detritus....and the slaughter will still go on without any African Gov'ts stopping this carnage!

not going to ask you to provide some verifiable sources of your assertions about ivory ending up on a flight out of Kenya

Fine, other than a few shots with smoke exuding from the tusk pyres , no photos shown at end of bonfires.... so if a few remaining pieces weren't destroyed, you don't think they would be sold as part of a " Fire Sale" to highest bidder??

You tell me...your the one who has all the answers...you said there was plifering going on before they lit the fires and the spoils of theft where being put on planes by dodgy politians or others

[eggers]

We will continue to witness the barbaric killing of elephants until all legal ivory trade is banned. The countries that still allow its trade should be put to shame.

What all other forms of ivory such as Walrus and Narwhal etc

Couldn't respond on other comment to many replies.

Perhaps if you read what was written, then make a comment... nowhere did I say "...there was pilfering (corrected) going on before they lit the fires". Don't have all answers, but do research subject on which comment. Do you honestly believe this trade in elephant contraband has been going on for 100 years or more without some corrupt politicians benefiting??

Go check http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/conflict-crime-and-corruption-the-illicit-brutality-of-the-ivory-trade/

[Koosdedooes]

We will continue to witness the barbaric killing of elephants until all legal ivory trade is banned. The countries that still allow its trade should be put to shame.

What all other forms of ivory such as Walrus and Narwhal etc

Couldn't respond on other comment to many replies.

Perhaps if you read what was written, then make a comment... nowhere did I say "...there was pilfering (corrected) going on before they lit the fires". Don't have all answers, but do research subject on which comment. Do you honestly believe this trade in elephant contraband has been going on for 100 years or more without some corrupt politicians benefiting??

Go check http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/conflict-crime-and-corruption-the-illicit-brutality-of-the-ivory-trade/

Prior to 96 or 97 when the Cites treaty was signed it was a fully legal trade so the politicans or anyone else involved, didnt need to be corrupt...the trade was perfectly legal...so prior to to the cites agreement it wasnt contraband

[eggers]

We will continue to witness the barbaric killing of elephants until all legal ivory trade is banned. The countries that still allow its trade should be put to shame.

What all other forms of ivory such as Walrus and Narwhal etc

Couldn't respond on other comment to many replies.

Perhaps if you read what was written, then make a comment... nowhere did I say "...there was pilfering (corrected) going on before they lit the fires". Don't have all answers, but do research subject on which comment. Do you honestly believe this trade in elephant contraband has been going on for 100 years or more without some corrupt politicians benefiting??

Go check http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/conflict-crime-and-corruption-the-illicit-brutality-of-the-ivory-trade/

Prior to 96 or 97 when the Cites treaty was signed it was a fully legal trade so the politicans or anyone else involved, didnt need to be corrupt...the trade was perfectly legal...so prior to to the cites agreement it wasnt contraband

The CITES Convention came into force in 1975, not 96/97. Prior to then the trade in endangered species was carried on without any controlling/restrictive laws,that doesn't make it legal. Sounds like you're not really bothered by such trade & think all politicians are honest forthright people ! Maybe you've "collected" a few ivory pieces over time???

[wabothai]

"Were preparing to" no photos of burning them.

[wabothai]

Those sure are the tusks of quite a lot of elephants. That raises some questions.

Is the president as good in burning the Boko Haram?

[gemguy]

If this were true they would have furnished a photo with the tusks already on fire. Does anyone really believe that the poor and corrupt Kenyans are really going to destroy $750,000,000 worth of ivory at street value? It's already in the hands of some rich politician and on it's way through Thailand and headed for China.

Maybe you should expand your horizons further and get out a bit more, plenty of video on the interweb showing this burning and its been standard practice in Kenya for many years

Unfortunately the government actions are too little, too late.

I do not have the answers as to how to stop the Africans from killing off the last of the elephants for Ivory tusk profit but something more has to be done to address the root cause and protect the elephants...some how, someway.

Sad that such a majestic animal has to be wiped out for one of its naturally beautiful attributes.

Cheers

[F4UCorsair]

If this were true they would have furnished a photo with the tusks already on fire. Does anyone really believe that the poor and corrupt Kenyans are really going to destroy $750,000,000 worth of ivory at street value? It's already in the hands of some rich politician and on it's way through Thailand and headed for China.

Yep, I believe it. It was a headline on the evening news in Australia. Multiple stacks, multiple raging fires.

Don't jump in so early......'foot in mouth' comes to mind.

It's not in the 'hands of some rich politician and on its way to China.' It's ashes! I know...it's a conspiracy! Photoshopped to look like it was ivory being burnt, but it was really a pile of toothpicks.

Edited May 1, 2016 by F4UCorsair

[Doc46]

This is the most outrageous thing they can do,,,,why not put a government stamp on the tusks and auction them so they can use the Millions of Dollars to protect the Elephants,,,At least they wont have Died for a heap of Ash,,,

[johnatong]

"Were preparing to" no photos of burning them.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/30/kenya-to-burn-largest-ever-ivory-stockpile-to-highlight-elephants-fate

Satisfied ?

Are the flames big enough ?

[ThaiTony2]

If this were true they would have furnished a photo with the tusks already on fire. Does anyone really believe that the poor and corrupt Kenyans are really going to destroy $750,000,000 worth of ivory at street value? It's already in the hands of some rich politician and on it's way through Thailand and headed for China.

As difficult as it may seem to believe they did show it burning. I actually saw three Hugh piles burning with flames and smoke.

[Trouble]

If this were true they would have furnished a photo with the tusks already on fire. Does anyone really believe that the poor and corrupt Kenyans are really going to destroy $750,000,000 worth of ivory at street value? It's already in the hands of some rich politician and on it's way through Thailand and headed for China.

Maybe you should expand your horizons further and get out a bit more, plenty of video on the interweb showing this burning and its been standard practice in Kenya for many years

Unfortunately the government actions are too little, too late.

I do not have the answers as to how to stop the Africans from killing off the last of the elephants for Ivory tusk profit but something more has to be done to address the root cause and protect the elephants...some how, someway.

Sad that such a majestic animal has to be wiped out for one of its naturally beautiful attributes.

Cheers

Maybe one of the answers to stop some of the poaching would be the death penalty. Wouldn't bother me in the least.

[Koosdedooes]

We will continue to witness the barbaric killing of elephants until all legal ivory trade is banned. The countries that still allow its trade should be put to shame.

What all other forms of ivory such as Walrus and Narwhal etc

Couldn't respond on other comment to many replies.
Perhaps if you read what was written, then make a comment... nowhere did I say "...there was pilfering (corrected) going on before they lit the fires". Don't have all answers, but do research subject on which comment. Do you honestly believe this trade in elephant contraband has been going on for 100 years or more without some corrupt politicians benefiting??
Go check http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/conflict-crime-and-corruption-the-illicit-brutality-of-the-ivory-trade/

Prior to 96 or 97 when the Cites treaty was signed it was a fully legal trade so the politicans or anyone else involved, didnt need to be corrupt...the trade was perfectly legal...so prior to to the cites agreement it wasnt contraband

The CITES Convention came into force in 1975, not 96/97. Prior to then the trade in endangered species was carried on without any controlling/restrictive laws,that doesn't make it legal. Sounds like you're not really bothered by such trade & think all politicians are honest forthright people ! Maybe you've "collected" a few ivory pieces over time???

Never owned any ivory and in my opinion poachers and the big heros typically Americans hunting canned lion should be shot, and never suggested that poltians are not corrupt, my comments were directed at yours and others conspiracy theories...and the commerical ban on African ivory trade was signed in 1989, so get your facts right please

[uptheos]

If this were true they would have furnished a photo with the tusks already on fire. Does anyone really believe that the poor and corrupt Kenyans are really going to destroy $750,000,000 worth of ivory at street value? It's already in the hands of some rich politician and on it's way through Thailand and headed for China.

As difficult as it may seem to believe they did show it burning. I actually saw three Hugh piles burning with flames and smoke.

Yes, they burned every single pile in front of the world's cameras.

I think the Kenyan government should be applauded for this.

As for the poacher's if caught, bullet through the head (on the spot) same as Elephant.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-36176756

[Yahooka]

Those sure are the tusks of quite a lot of elephants. That raises some questions.

Is the president as good in burning the Boko Haram?

I think he would be happy to the fact that Boko Haram is Nigeria's and Cameroon's problem.

[JAS21]

An option would have been to flood the market with ivory and crash the price making it an unprofitable business. The money generated to provide schools, teachers, medical supplies and doctors.

[eggers]

We will continue to witness the barbaric killing of elephants until all legal ivory trade is banned. The countries that still allow its trade should be put to shame.

What all other forms of ivory such as Walrus and Narwhal etc

Couldn't respond on other comment to many replies.

Perhaps if you read what was written, then make a comment... nowhere did I say "...there was pilfering (corrected) going on before they lit the fires". Don't have all answers, but do research subject on which comment. Do you honestly believe this trade in elephant contraband has been going on for 100 years or more without some corrupt politicians benefiting??

Go check http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/conflict-crime-and-corruption-the-illicit-brutality-of-the-ivory-trade/

Prior to 96 or 97 when the Cites treaty was signed it was a fully legal trade so the politicans or anyone else involved, didnt need to be corrupt...the trade was perfectly legal...so prior to to the cites agreement it wasnt contraband

The CITES Convention came into force in 1975, not 96/97. Prior to then the trade in endangered species was carried on without any controlling/restrictive laws,that doesn't make it legal. Sounds like you're not really bothered by such trade & think all politicians are honest forthright people ! Maybe you've "collected" a few ivory pieces over time???

Never owned any ivory and in my opinion poachers and the big heros typically Americans hunting canned lion should be shot, and never suggested that poltians are not corrupt, my comments were directed at yours and others conspiracy theories...and the commerical ban on African ivory trade was signed in 1989, so get your facts right please

Please inform me what is "...canned lion" not seen that term anywhere else?

As for correct fact, it's politician not "poltians".... are they some new breed?

As for conspiracy theories, check website previously advised, will give you something to think about!

Quote from Cites site to correct you once more "...The convention was opened for signature in 1973. and CITES entered into force on 1 July 1975." Presume the organisation is more informed than you. This is now boring, do some work & check your facts!!

[impulse]

I think they have violated the law of supply and demand. The supply has just taken a hit. In the face of continuously rising demand, they just increased the value of the ivory walking around attached to live elephants. What could possibly go wrong?

Ban the trade internationally and It won't work as long as there are Asian markets that pay no heed to international law.

Better yet, (and I hate to even suggest this) pay government "hunters" to tranquilize the remaining elephants (and rhinos) and cut off their tusks (and horns) to make them worthless to poachers. Sell the humanely (and sustain-ably) harvested ivory and horn to fund the efforts and other social needs. For that matter, treat elephants and rhinos like sheep are treated for their wool. You don't get to shear them as often, but the huge payout balances that.

Burning hundreds of millions of dollars of a precious resource is lunacy.

[bheard]

Never going to stop this trade. It's a bit like drugs, never going to stop them either.

Best approach - legalise it and control it.

That ivory should never have been destroyed, sell it and control the market, then allow sales of a controlled amount each year.

Same as the approach with rhino horns.