On April 9, 2014, Belgium crushed 1.7 tons of confiscated elephant ivory, joining the growing international movement to take a stand against wildlife trafficking.
Seven countries, including Belgium, have collectively destroyed 29 tons of stockpiled ivory since June 2012. Belgium is the second European country to rid itself of ivory stocks after France did so in February 2014.
The stigma of owning ivory is growing as the public becomes increasingly informed about the true cost of the ivory trade. At least 30,000 African elephants are massacred annually for their tusks, and the ivory trade chain has been linked to terrorist organizations, such as al-Shabaab. The Elephant Action League estimates that Shabaab’s monthly income from ivory is between $200,000 and $600,000 USD.
- June 2012: Gabon burned five tons;
- June 2013: The Philippines crushed five tons;
- November 2013: The United States crushed six tons;
- January 2014: China crushed six tons;
- February 2014: France crushed three tons;
- February 2014: Chad burned just over one ton of ivory.
Hong Hong has pledged to destroy 28 tons of its 36-ton stockpile.
Who’s next?
Azzedine Downes, President and CEO of IFAW, says that Belgium’s action will create “ripples throughout Europe”.
“This event will keep the momentum going, and IFAW calls on other nations with stockpiles — regardless of the nation or its stockpile — who haven’t already taken this stand to save elephants to do the same.”
U.S. Ivory Crush compilation video:
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.