The poaching of elephants for ivory, meat, hide and other parts (mainly for use in traditional medicine) is still prevalent in many countries across Asia and Africa. Despite worldwide protection through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Treaty, the value placed on elephant products, particularly ivory, the lack of effective enforcement and the remoteness of areas of elephant habitat means that there are those that still kill elephants for profit.
Most countries with an elephant population do not have sufficient resources to devote to the task of patrolling the many thousands of square miles in which poachers operate. Trying to stop the poachers has not been effective.
The only way this trade will ever stop is to block the demand.
I doubt that anyone reading this petition has ever bought an elephant product. However, the fact is that the biggest importers of illegal ivory and other elephant parts are China and Japan and everyone of you has bought something from them. Both China and Japan have the money and the people to enforce the CITES resolution but have been lax in doing so.
To help persuade China and Japan to stop this illegal trade, we must bring every bit of economic pressure at our disposal to bear.
Please sign this petition and pledge not to buy Chinese or Japanese products until they bring a halt to this illegal trade.
A copy of this petition will be sent to the Chinese and Japanese Trade Missions to show that we are serious about protecting this incredible creature.
