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Brilio.net/en - One elephant is killed every 15 minutes around the world for its ivory, which amounts to between 25.000 and 30.000 per year according to the IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare). In the last three years alone, more than 100.000 elephants have been killed. Mostly in Africa, where 64% of the elephant population has disappeared in the last 10 years.
These alarming figures pushed the leaders of many African leaders to ask for more legislation toward ivory trade, especially through Europe, Middle-East and China. To answer that demand, the French Minister of Environment, Sgolne Royal made an announcement a few days ago that didnt go unnoticed on the international scene: France will become the first European country to legally ban ivory trade. The legal details of the interdiction havent been clarified yet but it wont be possible to buy or import ivory in France any longer.
With the support of African countries such as Gabon, Uganda and Kenya among others, a very special event took place in Nairobi: a giant cremation of elephants tusks. The president of the country, Uhuru Kenyatta assisted this original ceremony that took place in the middle of the natural reserve at the Kenya Wildlife Service, and explained why it was important for him to burn the remaining ivory instead of selling it.
Image viaphotopedia.su
This vice must end and our elephants will be protected. I know some people think that our nation should put the tusks for sale on the international market and use this product in the economic development of our country. But I want to say that ivory has no value if it is removed in those conditions from our elephants. This is wrong and the future generation will judge us for it."
In total, about 105 tons of ivory burn into flames that day in order to send a strong message to the poachers of illegal trading. No kind of benefits will be made out of the massacre of elephants. Hopefully other countries can follow in their footsteps soon.
(brl/red)
