CITES STOP THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE OF LIVE WILD ELEPHANTS FOR ZOOS AND CAPTIVITY
CITES STOP THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE OF LIVE WILD ELEPHANTS FOR ZOOS AND CAPTIVITY
Why this petition matters
In October 2021, 22 wild elephants were captured in Namibia and transported to a holding facility located in Gobabis, situated in eastern Namibia approximately 200km from Windhoek.
The holding facility is located on the premises of a trophy hunting safari business called GoHunt Namibia. The wild elephants are being held captive in preparation for export to zoos in the United Arab Emirates. A statement from the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria confirmed that they have no intention, nor need to import African elephants from the wild.
Since the controversial capture took place, two elephants have given birth which raises questions about the violation of the IATA regulations which prohibits the transport of elephants whilst in their last trimester of pregnancy.
An official statement from representatives of the elephant Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission states that they do not endorse the removal of African elephants from the wild for any captive use.
The legitimacy of the capture and the proposed export from Namibia and import into the United Arab Emirates is currently being debated. The CITES Standing Committee has been requested to make their position public at the 74th meeting in Lyon in France between 7-11 March 2022.
Concerned elephant experts, scientists and academics have called for a halt to the export of these elephants and have asked for these elephants to be returned to the wild as a matter of urgency.
The CITES Secretariat and CITES Parties have been requested to commit to robust disciplinary measures.
The Namibian government has confirmed in an official statement that the elephants have been exported from Namibia to the United Arab Emirates.
57 Elephants were sold according to the Namibian government. That means 20 elephants have yet to be delivered. Does that mean that Namibia is planning to capture another 20 wild elephants despite the global condemnation?
PLEASE FOLLOW THE UPDATES THIS IS A FAST MOVING STORY WITH A GLOBAL INTEREST BASE
Decision-Makers
- Namibian CITES AuthorityNamibian CITES Authority
- CITES Secretary GeneralMs Ivonne Higuero
- CITES United Arab EmiratesCITES United Arab Emirates