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Keith Bedford / Reuters
Flanked by other officials, New York District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr., announces guilty pleas by two ivory dealers last Thursday.
When two New York City jewelers recently paid $55,000 in fines and forfeited $2 million worth of ivory trinkets made from the tusks of slaughtered elephants, officials praised it as tough action. But that’s not how the World Wildlife Fund saw it. The U.S. is lagging behind other countries -- even China and its appetite for ivory -- in cracking down on the illegal trade, the conservation group told NBC News.
"It's really no deterrent at all" to the organized crime rings providing the raw material, said Crawford Allan, who works for the WWF wildlife monitoring program known as TRAFFIC.
For an illegal industry that brings in billions of dollars each year, he added, such fines are "just the cost of doing business."
The plea deals were announced to much fanfare last Thursday.
"This is an international problem that requires local solutions," New York District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., said in publicizing the fines. "In order to curb the poaching of elephants in Africa and Asia, we need to curb the demand side of the illegal ivory trade right here at home."
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The WWF agrees, but feels even more can be done given the severity of the slaughter: a record 23 tons of ivory -- from some 2,500 elephants, were seized globally last year as the population of African elephants continues to shrink. An estimated 450,000 African elephants are living today, down from between 5 million and 10 million in the 1930s.
WWF will single out the U.S. and a few other nations when it starts a campaign in late July to lobby governments to be tougher.
Allan said the U.S. should track domestic ivory sales more closely, set up more sting operations that lead to prison time and go after the sources in Africa, not just the trinket sellers.
"I don't want to belittle Fish and Wildlife," he added, "but they really are under-resourced."
The New York jewelers are a case in point, he said -- they operated in plain sight even though New York state law makes trade in ivory very difficult. Only ivory obtained before African elephants were listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1978 may be legally sold and even then a permit is required.
Bebeto Matthews / AP
A photo of an African elephant looms behind miniature elephant carvings on display at the New York City press conference on Thursday.
Moreover, it wasn't an undercover operation, but an off-duty wildlife inspector who happened to walk by the stores that led to the seizures.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which leads the federal efforts to crack down on wildlife trafficking, "can't comment on the specifics" of the case because the investigation is ongoing, spokeswoman Sandra Cleva told NBC News.
In general terms, she added, "we have to prioritize our work" since the service has many more cases than its 220 law enforcement agents can handle.
Allan argued law enforcement must prioritize wildlife smuggling since it is so lucrative to criminal networks.
"Interpol is really getting it," he added, noting that the international law enforcement agency last month announced raids that led to more than 200 arrests in 17 African countries as well as China.
"Tomorrow will be simply too late," Prince William warns as Africa's magnificent wild animals are mercilessly and illegally poached at a rate not seen for decades.
The U.S. reported 212 seizures of products made from elephants last year, and 137 of those involved ivory. The rest were skin and hair products, as well as meat and a few other items.
Only seven of the 137 ivory seizures involved more than 10 items.
"These results are very much consistent with previous years in that a relatively large number of seizures are documented, but these seizures are dominated by small volumes of non-commercial items," Danielle Kessler, a spokeswoman for international affairs within Fish and Wildlife, told NBC News.
Allan suggested the U.S. could model its enforcement after China, where 13 criminal gangs were broken up recently and more than 1,000 alleged illegal traders were shut down.
China acted on tips from the International Fund for Animal Welfare, which noted that 100,000 police were deployed in the operation that closed down 7,155 shops and 628 websites.
"There are still issues of corruption wherever you go," Allan acknowledged, "but I really feel that China has realized they are responsible for major issues with wildlife ... the Chinese have woken up to that."
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Leave a Comment:
Expecting America to save Elephants when America cannot save itself is over the top optimism.
Save the elephants. Eat the rich.
World Wrestling Federation will now be protecting elephants? Now THAT'S a reality show I'd watch!
Just hire big game hunters to hunt the poachers, fair is fair. Keep in mind, these poachers will kill you if you get in their way (so please don't try the "but the poachers are humans" BS).
cullerco! That is GENIUS! Excellent Idea! It would prove to be more of a challenge to hunt & shoot the poachers than slow moving herds of elephants.
You are correct, the poachers are more dangerous game. Should add to the hunt.
My thoughts exactly. It must be fund raising time for the WWF and they think the we haven't been fleeced enough.
As usual, we suck.
No, we are ignorant of what is going on. We are making judgements based on whatever legends advocacy groups spoon-feed us. We have stopped questioning. And we are busybodies, trying to mend alleged faults in the world when our own nest is fouled.
tom, so you are saying that we should look the other way ? really ? people are are so damn nice and they are not greedy either ( sarcasm ) huh ? where have you been all this time ? it seems to me that you are so misinformed , you haven't a clue what is going on. I have been to jewelry stores and have seen a lot of ivory pieces, where do you suppose they get all that ivory from, the moon ? open up YOUR eyes and that goes for everyone else that thinks like you, as for being ignorant, speak for yourself. if you were to go to a jewelry store and saw all that ivory would you be that gullable as to believe that ivory comes from trees if they were to tell you that ? yes I believe you would. obviously you are not an animal lover, and yes our world is fouled by the evil , ignorant, greedy, and worthless people. please do not post anymore stupid comments !!!!
It's so sad that there are only two comments on this. Those fines are way too low. There have to be serious consequences way before we slaughter these and other gorgeous animals to extinction.
hard core jail time should be added to the fines
The only thing that's going to stop poachers is if something shoots back at them.
In countries where you can legally hunt them, the local villagers protect them and they are thriving. They will indeed shoot poachers because poachers are stealing out of their wallets.
Michel, my thoughts exactly. Where are the comments and any concerns - 8 at count? Let's just wait to we desecrate the planet and then wish we did things to make significant changes such as severe incentive plans, horrendous fines and jail time, and of the utmost worldwide knowledge and education of what this really means to humanity. We are on a road to being done.
Pitiful! We have stricter penalties for spanking a dog.
jim, LOL!! that is so true.
By the time anyone actually does start to get serious with huge fines, prison sentences that fit the crime I think it will be way to late, sadly.
The people who are trying to stop all of this and help and are doing everything they can but cannot do it all by themselves and since there's billions of dollars at stake they are fighting a losing battle.
How do we really stop all of this? I loved the idea of shooting back at the poachers but I believe it will take even more than that.
Even China is ahead of the U.S. on this one! How did that happen? I'm shocked.
Of course China is ahead, they kill them there. If there were bands of wandering scumbags shooting raccoons and anything that got in their way we'd be tougher too as it would be a public safety concern. Ivory is very distinctive and makes an incredibly fragile product we shouldn't be seeing it sold anywhere. Part of the problem is that most people don't realize that if they see it somewhere they are more than likely looking at an illegal product. It hasn't been drummed into our heads enough.
Human beings are so out of it - all they think of is themselves and the God almighty dollar. All animals deserve to live from house pets to wild animals. I wish the government would crack down and impose the same sentence for killing all animals as the sentence for killing a human being. What makes us think we are better than any animal - we were all created by God to live on this earth and thrive. Stop buying jewelry made of animal parts - do your part to stop this outrage. Maybe we should arm animals with guns so they can make the human race as extinct as we have made them. Stop it now - forget the $$$$.
Rats, roaches, tse-tse flies, anopheles mosquitoes, yellow-fever bearing mammals, rabies-bearing bats, staph germs....... Yes, the hob-goblin of small minds.
The Silent Spring ended the use of DDT. What was this ban's human price? Worth it?
Pat Finn,I could,nt agree with you more.We are the Plague on this Earth,we want,we want,we want....but never think of the consequences of our greed.
Fish and Wildlife is under-resourced? They are too busy trapping and poisoning native wildlife - they have more in common with the poachers in Africa than with organizations that try to protect animals.
I agree, F & W is so busy killing wildlife here to satisfy ranchers wants to graze their herds on federal land. F & W does not have a clue when it comes to "managing" wildlife in our country. What they do to the wolves, burros, horses is disgusting & needs to be stopped.
F & W needs a complete overhaul as does the Dept of AG, FDA & IRS. They are all a Bad Joke on the public.
You clowns don't know what you are talking about. Most of the funds for Fish and Wildlife Administration at state and federal levels comes from fees and taxes paid for by licensed hunters. We pay tax on ammunition and licenses. To hunt waterfowl the fees for one season, thats 3 months come to nearly $80 and ammunition is another $200 of which probably 20% is tax. I pay $3000 for a lease on which a pond is created for me, 3 acres in size which benefits a lot of other species for 3-4 months. How much money have you spent in the last year on wildlife conservation? Stupid hypocrites.
Varg, you are so right I think that F&W suck big time I dislike them a lot, they pretend to protect wildlife but then they turn around and kill and tell others to kill wolves , mountain lions, and etc.
Exactly how can one pick a species that will live and what will be slaughtered. Not allowed to wear fur so all those wolfs and coyote's are killed for nothing more than trying to eat a damn steer on a ranch. Don't worry about all the mustangs and burro's that eat that grass either now. I love all animals even those known as HUMAN.
More Elephants, Less Donkeys
First off, why does this country get blamed for every wrong in the world both from its Citizenry and elitist socialists in Europe? We can never do enough, rather than say, hey they can't do it all, you arse holes look for the things that we dont do.
When all of the money has been spent and the last lazy one of you is on a Federal handout program, you can blame the money spent on the Governments oversight of Elephants and other animals as to why your welfare, ssi, unemployment, medicare or what ever other rigged programs your on, check bounced.
Stop BUYING anything made of ivory or containing ivory!! Make it so that no one wants it. Pass the word on. Make it so that ivory becomes worth as much as a chunk of petrified cow dung. PEOPLE, HUMANS NEED TO BE THE ONES TO MAKE IVORY WORTHLESS!!
I've always considered myself an optimist until the last decade? Humans are the reason for the planet and ALL its inhabitants' demise. The fact that there are so few comments on this issue says a lot. Most of us are barely surviving due to the effects of HUMAN overpopulation. All the wildlife organizations that try to save these magnificent creatures are running out of time. Until something is done about human overpopulation, the planet and all the innocent creatures who are suffering at our hands, will continue to decline until they are gone. Maybe it will take a catastrophic event to thin the human herd so the planet has a chance. I would sacrifice my own life if I knew it would make a difference...
Laura M.
I too would give my life if it made a difference.
Humans have to stop breeding,if we dont, the earth will be done.
All living creatures are here for a reason,but we think we are the most important of the all.Sorry people,once the animals thin out or disappear altogether,we will fell the consequences and it wont be good.The earth needs animals much more then us.....without us here the earth would thrive,it,s the seen and unseen animals who make this planet work....alone if Honey Bees would be gone forever,all life would be gone in a few years.Humans just dont care.
Please stop all the empty talk and take action now. Kill yourself. You are using up valuable oxygen that could easily be used by someone more intelligent.
It happens that indigenous people are dying due to the elephants rather than the opposite, for what it's worth. Africa is over-run with these dangerous, destructive beasts. Same as with tigers in India. Our values are shot to heck. Clever, determined advocates of elephants or seals or tigers or cockroaches get the attention of pusillanimous politicians and next thing you know, outright lies create public policy. One of the many reasons we in America are in the self made pickle that we are. Pay attention, people.
"Allan suggested the U.S. could model its enforcement after China, where 13 criminal gangs were broken up recently and more than 1,000 alleged illegal traders were shut down."
REALLY??...and so when we treat our prisoners the same way that China does is he going to lead the defense of us as well ??..I love elephants and all of the animals on the planet, but some of the ridiculous things said are just that - RIDICULOUS...first of all, all of you over-population people blame mankind for everything and constantly wish for the extinction of mankind - take a stand and help your cause out...i agree we need to be better stewards of the Earth, but they say 95% of all creatures ever to live are extinct and we humans had nothing to do with it...we are suddenly VERY pompous and full of ourselves...I am not in favor of indiscriminate killings of animals by any stretch of the imagination, but to think WE can control the weather, the animals, the seas, the air, the EVERYTHING and that Earth is incapable of teaching us a lesson on her own is idiotic to me...typical liberal garbage of how unimportant we are, but how we seem to be the masters of all the evil that befalls the planet...which is it??..are we culpable or not ??...
...and as far as putting a bounty on the poachers, I thought they already did that...I have no problem with making it a major crime in every country on the planet to be a poacher...but until the locals get involved it will unfortunately be like the 8 year olds selling drugs on the streets of LA...too much money and not a real deterrent due to age or other reasons...
There does need to be something done, I totally agree, but blaming the USA for it is crazy...they are just looking to blame us so we can bail them out financially when they need it...I love how this big horrible country is at fault for everything...well...until you need our help...then it is a totally different story...
SHAME PEOPLE WHO WEAR OR PURCHASE IVORY! Take some of the billions of $$ we spend on our war against marijuana and crack down on the people who not only traffic in ivory, but other endangered animals and animal procucts as well.
WE MUST SAVE THE ELEPHANTS! They are magnificent.
They taste good too....elephant burgers....yummm.
Execution for poachers and those dealing in post 1978 ivory. America is soft on crime and wastes a fortune keeping losers alive in prisons. Soft punishmnet is why the crimes continue.
The biggest travesty is human overpopulation. Welfare only creates more and more poor and uneducated losers. A payment of $2500 to all who will be sterilized, offered globally, would rapidly reduce the population of undesirables. In the meantime, welfare and handouts only create reverse evolution, survival of the dumbest, laziest, least productive genes. This is the inconvenient truth of the matter.
Saying China is tough on importation of anything endangered is a joke. They are the leading source of demand for bear gall bladders, for Rhino horn and other stuff and with their recent economic affluence the problem has only gotten worse. This article is nothing more than more US bashing and the WWF is of course probably hoping we will just throw money at the problem. I suppose they burn the ivory they get, instead of marking it and selling it to flood the market and use the money for conservation efforts. Yeah destroying it makes sense. They haven't heard of supply and demand. Provide the supply and kill the demand. No profit no problem. Dumb suits. How much money goes to pay their six figure salaries?
Elephants are the most dangerous game. A old white hunter once said, when asked which was the most dangerous animal in Africa to hunt..."The elephant. I have never heard of anyone being wounded by one."
China exports skinned and plasticized convicts for the amusment of countless peoples around the world as part of the profiteering enterprise where the human body is revealed. There was an expose' where it was insinuated that these cadavers might not all be convicts and might not all been so willing to donate thier bodies for others gawking amusement. The Chinese have no morals or qualms about profiteering even exploiting their own.
We in the Pacific NW are feeling the devastating effects of the wildlife trade in Asia. There are literally a handful of black bears left in our area that saw 1,000s just 5 years ago. They are being killed for the illegal gall bladder trade that Asians use for "medicinal" purposes (aphrodisiac and such). Locally we have not seen a bear at all this year where we used to see at least 10 - 20 per summer season, through our yard, at the wild cherry tree down the road, up on the mountain near a pond. We don't even see beat scat where it used to be even along side the road say 8-10 piles in a 20 mile stretch. Of course the Fish & Wildlife aren't even aware of this loss, let alone going after the poachers. They busted an illegal smuggling ring of bear body parts at a small hunting and fishing shop out in a small town up north a few years ago, but nothing has stopped the slaughter of local bears for the Asian market. I miss seeing these magnificent animals in the wild.
The only way to stop the poaching is for everyone to stop buying things made of ivory. The only way to stop illegal drug trafficing is to stop buying illegal drugs, etc...