* Worst year for large seizures in over 2 decades
* Data suggests rise in poaching of Africa elephants
* Asian demand, migrant networks fueling trade
By Ed Stoddard
JOHANNESBURG, Dec 29 (Reuters) – A record number of
large scale ivory seizures will be recorded globally in 2011,
pointing to a surge in elephant poaching in Africa to meet Asian
demand for tusks for use in jewelry and ornaments, a monitoring
group said on Thursday.
TRAFFIC, a conservation group which tracks trends in
wildlife trading, said there have been at least 13 large-scale
seizures of over 800 kg (2,000 pounds) of ivory in 2011, more
than double the 6 recorded in 2010.
“A conservative estimate of the weight of ivory seized in
the 13 largest seizures in 2011 puts the figure at more than 23
tonnes, a figure that probably represents some 2,500 elephants,
possibly more,” it said in a statement.
Zimbabwe-based Tom Milliken, who manages TRAFFIC’s Elephant
Trade Information System, said it was the worst year for large
seizures he had seen in the over two decades he has been running
the database.
He said the poaching and illegal trade were consequences of
China’s investment drive into Africa to secure the mineral and
energy resources it needs to fuel its economic growth.
Continued…
