Legislation prohibiting the sale of ivory and rhino horn in California is now stronger, thanks to the passage of AB 96, which closes pre-ban loopholes.
AB 96 passed the Senate floor on a 26 – 13 vote and removes California’s exemption for ivory and rhino horn imported prior to January 1, 1977. The bill will “prohibit a person from purchasing, selling, offering for sale, possessing with intent to sell or importing with intent to sell elephant ivory or rhinoceros horn”.
“Ninety-six elephants are killed every day for their ivory — translating to 35,000 deaths each year,” said Speaker Toni G. Atkins.
“This species loss is unsustainable and African elephants are being poached at a higher rate than they are being born, which will result in their extinction. By passing AB 96, the Legislature can help strengthen enforcement against the illegal ivory trade in California, which will, in turn, help put an end to poaching.”
Principal co-author Senator Ricardo Lara explained that AB 96 brings California “one step closer to taking decisive action to prevent the harmful and illegal act of poaching to protect conservation efforts and help protect these delicate creatures”.
Trade would only be allowed under “very limited educational and scientific circumstances” or if it meets strict criteria regarding the volume of ivory or is a bona fide antique.
AB 96 caused a predictable uproar among followers of the National Rifle Association, whose lobbying group stated that the “extremely radical” bill is “effectively a taking of property without compensation” and would harm “firearm owners, sportsmen, hunters, recreational shooters and gun collectors” who have legally purchased firearms decorated with ivory.
Rhishja Cota
I am the founder of Annamiticus and I have been researching and writing about wildlife trafficking issues since 2009. I also founded World Pangolin Day in 2012. I am the author of USAID Wildlife Asia's Pangolin Species Identification Guide: A Rapid Assessment Tool for Field and Desk. I co-facilitated and was a presenter at the USAID Wildlife Asia Pangolin Care Workshop. At the 4th Regional Dialogue on Combating Trafficking of Wild Fauna and Flora, I facilitated the species roundtables on pangolins. I have trekked with forest rangers in Cambodia, journeyed to the streets of Hanoi to research the illegal wildlife trade, and to the rainforests of Sumatra and Java to document the world’s rarest rhinos. At CITES meetings, I collaborate with colleagues from around the world to lobby in favor of protecting endangered species. I hosted the Behind the Schemes podcast and am the author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine. I enjoy music, desert gardening, herping, reading, creating, and walking with my dogs. Check out my t-shirts and stickers at snoots + teefers.