National Geographic: East African Smugglers Push Ivory Out of the Continent

Posted by Laurel Neme in A Voice for Elephants on September 18, 2015   Elephant poaching and ivory trafficking in East Africa is driven not only by foreign consumers but also by African nationals who actively “push” ivory to these markets. A recent report, Pushing Ivory Out of Africa: A Criminal Intelligence of Elephant Poaching and Ivory Trafficking in East Africa,…

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National Geographic: To Stem Thriving Online U.S. Ivory Market, Stronger Laws and Enforcement Needed, Says Author of New Report

First posted on 2015-05-18     To Stem Thriving Online U.S. Ivory Market, Stronger Laws and Enforcement Needed, Says Author of New Report Posted by Laurel Neme in A Voice for Elephants on May 8, 2015   Images: Craigslist.org via “Elephant vs. Mouse” report by IFAW and 96elephants.org In a new report, Elephant vs. Mouse, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)…

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National Geographic: Citizens Spur States to Ban Trade in Ivory and Rhino Horn

    From Vermont to California, grassroots efforts drive state actions to protect elephants and rhinos. By Laurel Neme, for National Geographic PUBLISHED April 06, 2015   SHELBURNE, Vermont—”When you think things need to change, you have the power to make it happen,” Ashley McAvey, homegrown elephant activist and mother of two, told students recently at Endeavour…

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National Geographic: Ethiopia Burns Entire 6.1-Ton Ivory Stockpile

  Posted by Laurel Neme in A Voice for Elephants on March 20, 2015       ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – At a ceremony today in the capital, Ethiopia burned its entire 6.1-ton ivory stockpile. The event was held at the Gulele Botanical Garden, close to the headquarters of the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA), where the ivory had been stored.…

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National Geographic: In Hong Kong, Kids Take Action to Stop the Illegal Ivory Trade

      Schoolchildren are working together to raise awareness of the toll of the illegal ivory trade.  Photograph by Katrina Shute Laurel Neme for National Geographic Published April 24, 2014 Part of our weekly “In Focus” series—stepping back, looking closer. Hong Kong schoolchildren are transforming attitudes about elephant ivory through small actions that are having…

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National Geographic: London Summit Intensifies Battle Against Wildlife Crime

  World leaders pledge new commitment to fighting the illegal animal trade.   Laurel Neme for National Geographic Published February 12, 2014 Bringing together heads of state and government ministers from 50 countries, Thursday’s high-level summit on illegal wildlife trade may represent a turning point in the fight against wildlife crime. The London summit—hosted by the…

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National Geographic: New WildLeaks Website Invites Whistle-Blowers on Wildlife Crime

      WildLeaks gives whistle-blowers a way to anonymously finger wildlife criminals.   Laurel Neme for National Geographic Published February 10, 2014 Wildlife trafficking crimes often go undetected and unchallenged, even though they threaten many endangered species, including elephants, rhinos, and pangolins. Similarly, trade in illegally logged timber continues unabated, destroying forests and wildlife habitat.…

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National Geographic: Ivory Mandala: A Fitting Memorial from the U.S. Ivory Crush

    Posted by Laurel Neme in A Voice for Elephants on November 13, 2013     Tomorrow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will use an industrial rock crusher to destroy its six-ton stockpile of confiscated elephant ivory. The event is both a demonstration of the U.S.’s commitment to stop ivory trafficking and its belief that the legal ivory…

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