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Obama Visit to Kenya Proposes Strict Rules on US Ivory Trade |
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President Obama first official visit to his ancestral land Kenya was marked with lot of happy emotions as Kenyans witnessed for the first time an African American President returning to his ancestral home.The focus on wildlife came as Mr. Obama opened the two-day visit, where he met with his Kenyan counterpart, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, to discuss a wide array of issues, including countering insecurity threat from Al-Shabaab violent affiliate group of Al Qaeda based in Somalia and officially open the 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Summit aimed to promote economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Kenyan wildlife conservationists were represented by Dr Paula Kahumbuof #HandsOffOurElephants where they had a forum with Mr.Obama urging him that for his grandchildren to see Elephants, urgent action need be taken against trafficking and demand for ivory and other wildlife products. Obama pledged stronger measures to end ivory sales in the United States through laws prohibiting ivory trade. A recent article by , New York Times report that Slaughtering of elephants continues to grow worse as organized criminals get rich from selling elephant tusks and wildlife ivory products .It is estimated that a pound of ivory can fetch upto $USD 1500 .African elephants estimate to 500,000 from several millions a century ago ,being killed at a rate of 30,000 to 35,000 an year with United States being among the world?s largest consumers of wildlife, both legal and illegal. According to Daniel Ashe, Director Fish and Wildlife Service, "Unregulated domestic trade in elephant ivory has served as a loophole that gives cover for illegal trade .By tightening domestic controls on trade in elephant ivory and allowing only very narrow exceptions, USA aims to close existing avenues that are exploited by traffickers and address ivory trade that poses a threat to elephants in the wild." The proposed changes would still allow Americans b sell ivory across state lines, but only if it meets the strict criteria of the antiques exemption listed in the Endangered Species Act. The act identifies an antique as an item that is 100 years or older, that is partly or entirely composed of a species listed under the act, and that has not been repaired or modified with any such species after Dec. 27, 1973. It also must have been imported through one of 13 specific antique ports within the United States. More information on Obama Administration Targets Trade in African Elephant Ivory covered in New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/world/africa/obama-administration-targets-trade-in-african-elephant-ivory.html?_r=0 http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/18/opinion/banning-ivory-sales-in-america.ht
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8 Comments
It was awesome the Obama's visit to Kenya. I proud of US to take action to try to protect our biodiversity. =) Thanks for sharing mate. Well reported. Keep it up!!
Posted 29-07-2015 07:26
This is amazing that US President Mr.Obama take a serious note on Wildlife conservation focusing IVORY trade. Success can be achieved when the responsible global leaders pay due attention towards conservation.
This is really a happy news. Thank you for sharing dear Samuel :)
Posted 28-07-2015 23:55
The tragic truth of present world is the illegal trade of those inocent animals.It's heartbreaking to read those status of illegal hunting and trade every othertime.The tug of war between the conservationist and the illegal traders should end providing justice to the innocent wildlife.Glad to know that President Obama promised stronger measures and laws to end ivory trade.Thanks for sharing Samuel. :)
Posted 28-07-2015 10:40
I am very happy that President Obama paid attention to wild life trafficking issue during his Kenya visit. He announced sweeping new measures to stem the ivory trade including a ban on the interstate sale of most ivory in the U.S. and new restrictions on when the material can be exported.When implemented, the rule would result in a near total ban on the U.S. African elephant ivory trade. Let's hope traffickers don't find some loopholes still to accomplish their selfish objectives at the cost of wild life.
Posted 28-07-2015 04:25
Mr. President must have ignite the path for conservation of wildlife, glad to know he focused on wildlife majorly on ivory trade, it's pathetic to know the worsening situation of this trade.
Obama's action against it will surely bring new rays, let's hope for it. Magnificent elephant I see there in your post, lovely!
Thanks for sharing!
Posted 27-07-2015 22:38
ITs sad to see people drooling over the Wildlife produts and spending lumps of sum on such illegal act.
Happy to see Such huge personality visiting your country and Obama bringing Ivory issues to limelight :)
Thanks for awesome news and links as well Samuel :D
Posted 27-07-2015 18:07
This seems a great progress against ivory trade. Congrats on your having President Obama in your country! Thank you for sharing! :)
Posted 27-07-2015 17:41
Such issues regarding animal products trade need to be given due consideration.I appreciate president Obama's action against ivory trade.Thank you for informing us!
Posted 27-07-2015 16:38