International Campaign Against Poaching and Ivory Trade
African Elephants, Rhinos and other wildlife species are endangered by poaching and international ivory trade, unfortunately this problem is still very actual.
Protecting the world wildlife and the global environment is essential, and to avoid the extinction of some species we must act now.
We believe that animals can’t be exploited and threatened, they must be protected and they have the right to live free in their natural habitats. Poaching is a threat not only for elephants and other animals, but for the whole global community.
Wildlife crime is a huge business, lead by dangerous international illicit organizations, wildlife are trafficked like illegal drugs and weapons. It is very difficult to obtain reliable figures for the value of this illegal traffic. Experts estimate that it runs into hundreds of millions of dollars.
One kilo of ivory is worth about 1000 US$, but how much does the life of an elephant cost?
To tackle poaching is essential to give a strong international response. Starting from local communities in Africa to fight poachers, till the European metropolis to stop trade and sellers.
Together we can make the difference for elephants, join OIPA International Campaign!
WHY IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST POACHING:
TO PROTECT WILDLIFE – EACH 15 MINUTES AN ELEPHANT DIES BECAUSE OF POACHING, AT THIS RATE AFRICAN ELEPHANT WILL BE EXTINCT BY 11 YEARS
TO FIGHT TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIMES – INTERNATIONAL IVORY TRADE FINANCE MANY INTERNATIONAL TERRORISTIC GROUPS, AS AL SHABBAB AND BOKO HARAM. IVORY IS USED TO BUY WEAPONS AND TO PAY SOLDIERS OR TERRORISTS. WHEN CRISIS AND WARS AFFECT THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, IT IS EVEN HARDER TO PROTECT THE WILDLIFE FOR THE GOVERNMENTS
HOW WE CAN PROTECT THE WILDLIFE FROM POACHING?
DIRECT PROTECTION IN THE PARKS WITH RANGERS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES
In many African parks rangers patrol the territory to protect the wildlife and the environment. However, they often do not have enough means to control these wide territories and to discourage poachers. Often rangers’ weapons are useless against poachers, better equipped and ruthless.
In many African countries, rangers die after armed conflict with poachers.
CARE AND SAFEGUARD OF WOUNDED ANIMALS AND BABY ORPHANS
Except natural causes, as illness or water scarcity periods, elephants are killed by poachers. Often they killed the mothers for the tusks and leave baby elephants in the bush alone. Those babies cannot survive without the mother: they die after few days attacked by predators, for hunger, thirst or other natural reasons. The only chance is to be found by a rescue center, in these cases the baby elephant is raised by the vets and when possible is brought back in a herd.
FIGHT CORRUPTION AND SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT
Ivory price is about 1000 US$/kg, so it is a high profitable illicit traffic. Ivory trade is illegal since 1989, and many African countries have high fines and penalties for criminals. However, there are often cases of corruption and cooperation with traffickers, as well within government authorities and politicians.
RAISING AWERENESS WITHIN THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Often local communities unaware about this issue and about the possibility of extinction for the elephants, cooperate with poachers in exchange of money or elephant meat. Local people and tribes’ members help the hunters to find the herds in the savannah. Sometimes it takes several days of walk into the bush, then they have to kill the animal and taking back the ivory and the meat to the village. This is a difficult mission and the assistance from local people is really helpful for hunters.
RAISING AWARENESS WITHIN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
International ivory trade serves mostly Asian markets, in particular the Chinese one. Destroying and boycotting ivory products is the most effective way to stop this illicit activity and save the animals.
The best way to tackle transnational crimes is the international cooperation among governments, NGOs and local communities.
OIPA INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN – STAND FOR ELEPHANTS
To safeguard African Elephant and the other species threaten by poachers, OIPA International launch the Campaign Stand for Elephants, together with many associations all over the world.
OIPA CAMEROON
OIPA TANZANIA – Meru Animal Welfare Organization
OIPA NEPAL – Nepal Animal Welfare and Research Center
OIPA INDIA
KENYA – THE DONKEY SANCTUARY
The campaign promote sensibilization events and manifestations all over the world and specially in Africa.
SENSIBILIZATION EVENTS IN THE SCHOOLS AND IN THE CITIES
INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS AND FUNDRAISING EVENTS
SUPPORT TO SOME ELEPHANT RESCUE CENTERS
SUPPORT TO LOCAL RANGERS
APPEALS AND PETITIONS TO GOVERNMENTS AND AUTHORITIES TO OBTAIN STRICHTER LAWS AND PENALTIES FOR POACHERS
EVENTS
On the 24th of September 2016 will take place the Global March for Ivory Ban, and all over the world will partecipate with different initiatives.
Get involved and organize an event within your community!
24 SEPTEMEBR 2016 – GLOBAL MARCH FOR IVORY BAN
ELEPHANTS
In the world we find two different species of Elephants: African and Asian elephants, which are divided into other subspecies. The African elephant in savannah and forest species, while the Asian elephant is divided into four subspecies (Sri Lankan, Indian, Sumatran...
STAND FOR ELEPHANTS: WHAT YOU CAN DO
OBJECTIVE AND ACTIVITIES: strengthening national legal frameworks reducing ivory supply and demand through alternative livelihoods strengthening international cooperation raising awareness and civil society empowerment strengthening law enforcement, prosecutorial and...
IVORY TRADE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION: DISCUSSION OF THE INTERGROUP ON THE WELFARE AND CONSERVATION OF ANIMALS
The Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals met on 31 May to discuss the topic Ivory Trade in the EU. All the participants agreed that...
STAND WITH OIPA INTERNATIONAL FOR ELEPHANTS IN CAMEROON
STOP IVORY TRAFFICKING IN CAMEROON SUPPORT OIPA COMMUNITY EDUCATION CAMPAIGN AND FIGHT AGAINST IVORY TRAFFICKING IN CAMEROON A cargo of over 300 kg...
ZIMBABWE SEND 35 LIVE ELEPHANTS TO WILDLIFE PARKS IN CHINA
While rangers lose their lives to fight poachers all over Africa to protect elephants, while animal activists all over the world are campaining to...
JOHANNESBURG: CITES OUTCOMES – GOOD AND BAD NEWS FOR WILDLIFE
It ended last week the 17th Conference of the Parties (CoP17) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora...
WORLD RHINO DAY – 1300 ANIMALS KILLED LAST YEAR
Today we celebrate the sixth World Rhino Day. Unfortunately it remains a day without much to celebrate. In fact, for this animal the 2015 it was an...
OIPA INDIA – AFTER THE REQUEST OF OIPA DELEGATION THE ASIAN ELEPHANTS HAS BEEN ACCORDED HIGHEST PROTECTION IN INDIA
The Ministry of Environment and Forests accorded highest protection to the Asian Elephant in India. There are now national Guidelines about this...
WHY IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST POACHING NOW
African Elephants, Rhinos and other wildlife species are endangered by poaching and international ivory trade, unfortunately this problem is still...
IVORY TRAFFICKING KINGPIN FEISAL MOHAMMED JAILED FOR 20 YEARS, FINED SH20 MILLION
Former fugitive Feisal Mohamed Ali was last evening jailed for 20 years and ordered to pay Sh20 million in a stunning judgement, a magistrate said...
KENYA – WHEN A 26 YEARS OLD GIRL FIGHTS THE POACHERS AND WINS!
A single person CAN make the difference. . . In a pastoral community where women are traditionally expected to defer to their husbands and keep...
INTERNATIONAL LAW
According to Doris Lin, an animal rights attorney and the Director of Legal Affairs for the Animal Protection League of New Jersey, poaching can be...
IVORY TRADE
Ivory trade has led to endangerment of species, resulting in restrictions and bans. Ivory was formerly used to make trinkets, jewellery and other...
SWAZILAND – MONEY MONSTER: WHEN MONEY HAVE MORE VALUE THAN ANIMALS’ LIFE
From the beginning of the new international orders, with the creation of the United Nations (1945), there has been total freedom for the States in...
THE ELEPHANT’S SENSE OF LIFE: THE IMPORTANCE OF CURBING TANZANIAN POACHING
African elephant is the largest land animal on Earth. It is bigger than its Asian cousin, and can be differentiated from the latter by the size of...