SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT EXTEND THE IVORY ACT TO INCLUDE NON-ELEPHANT ANIMALS?
OUTCOME
The Government are set to add 5 additional species to the Ivory Act: Common Hippopotamus, Killer Whale, Narwhal, Sperm Whale and Walrus.
Sadly, the Government decided not to extend compassion to Warthogs this time. They claim that warthogs are primarily hunted for meat, not ivory, and that their ivory is not likely to substitute or mask illegal elephant ivory trade due to its physical characteristics. The government also list warthogs IUCN classification as ‘least concern’ as another reason why they won't protect warthogs using the ivory act. You can read the government's statement here.
VERIFY HUMANITY'S STATEMENT
Verify Humanity is pleased that 5 additional species are to be included in the Ivory Act, however we are saddened by the news that Warthogs won’t be afforded the same protection. The governments reasoning highlights their reactive approach to wildlife conservation, and a lack of concern for animal wellbeing at an individual level. Warthogs are already killed for their ivory, and it is likely that poachers will target them even more now that their ivory options have been limited further. ​ We will continue to seek opportunities to advocate for Warthogs.
Yes! This would absolutely be a step in the right direction. As legislation has tightened in recent years, poachers look for easier targets. That's why we need to protect non-elephant animals, too. The Government are seeking opinions on whether we (you) think any of the the following animals should be explicitly protected under the Ivory Act:
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Common Hippopotamus
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Killer Whale
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Narwhal
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Sperm whale
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Walrus
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Common warthog
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Desert warthog
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Mammoth
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Unfortunately, it seems that the warthog isn't being well advocated for and needs help from compassionate people to get it on the list of protected species under the Ivory Act. Warthogs are a relatively easy target for poachers, so we really want to see them included in this law.
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Verify Humanity's key points submitted to this consultation include:
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Common Warthogs are located where elephants are already poached making it easy for criminals to jump species.
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Common Warthogs are small in stature making them a less risky target. This opens them up to less specialised every day hunters.
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Common Warthog ivory is already carved for the tourist trade.
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Extending an already existing trade is significantly easier than creating one that doesn't exist. It requires no business imagination and supply and demand chains already exist.
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(please feel free to use these points in your response!)
