China bans ivory imports for 1 year to protect elephants

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

BEIJING (AP) — China imposed a one-year ban on ivory imports that took immediate effect Thursday amid criticism that its citizens' huge appetite for ivory has fueled poaching that threatens the existence of African elephants.

The State Administration of Forestry declared the ban in a public notice posted on its official site, in which it said the administration would not handle any import request.

In an explanatory news report, an unnamed forestry official told the state-run Legal Evening News that authorities hope the ban would be a concrete step to reduce the demand for African tusks and to protect wild elephants. The official said the temporary ban would allow authorities to evaluate its effect on elephant protection before they can take further, more effective steps.

China is the world's largest importer of smuggled tusks, although Beijing has campaigned against illegal ivory. Six tons of illegal ivory was pulverized last year in the southern city of Dongguan, and Chinese courts have stepped up prosecution of illegal ivory trade.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20150226/as--china-ivory_ban-b1aa945e21.html

[onehandle]

1. Poachers will start 'stocking up' to meet pent up demand in 'one-year.'

Nothing will stop their 16th century population with 21st century money from wiping out the world's elephants.

[awoke_in_2003]

9. Yep...

if will be a good year for them if the ban drops.

[DRoseDARs]

2. Ban them period? 'D' for effort, China.

Such weaksauce. Much disappoint.

[CreekDog]

3. We have people opposing a ban here on DU

check out some of the responses.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4819258

[Sheldon Cooper]

5. Wow. That thread...

Those few poster who are upset that maybe they won't be allowed to sell grampa's gun someday. My heart absolutely bleeds for them. I'll play them the mournful song of my people -

[freshwest]

7. Thanks! I needed that song after going through that nauseating thread.

[trueblue2007]

10. anyone who slaughters elephants should get one right between the eyes

(not an elephant I mean)

[Nihil]

13. I think that might work better to be honest

Poetic justice if the poacher got an elephant-load of "angry ivory" right between the eyes.

I would cheer (same as I do when the bull gives the matador the horn or a whaler is drowned).

[Judi Lynn]

12. Unbelievable. Who would have imagined anyone could admit opposing a ban of ivory?

There are some wildly twisted spirits who want to be heard.

[Buzz Clik]

4. Gee. One whole year. Shorter than elephant gestation.

Such sincerity to the cause.

[groundloop]

6. Such an obvious, hollow gesture which will accomplish little

[romanic]

8. This won't do much.

It'll just create a black market for ivory for the year.

[Owl]

11. How about a permanent ban with serious prosecutions?