Can you help save the elephants?

[ilove2patch]

IF you care about elephants, please sign this petition.

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/hours_to_sa ... cb&v=41999

In spite of CITES which banned the sale of ivory 25 years ago, poaching continues at an appalling rate. 23,000 elephants were killed in Africa in 2013.

The last of the great tuskers - the largest elephant in the world with huge tusks was killed recently for his ivory. Criminal gangs have moved into the illegal wildlife trade, instead of human or drug trafficking because they see it as a high profit low risk activity and the penalties do not fit the crime.

The main markets are China and now Thailand is becoming the fastest growing market and the Thai Government are doing nothing to make progress on their 'ivory action plan' or to shut down their domestic market.

Right now CITES representatives are considering whether to sanction Thailand for its failure to stem the ivory trade. If you are appalled by the illegal ivory trade, let the CITES delegates and the UK Environment Minister know by signing.

[jlt2367]

Hi  Maggie.

Have done!

Joan

[merc1_clocks]

 Signed 

[captainbovine]

done x

[ed_blackadder_1]

Did it a couple of days ago when I saw about it on the R/T page, urge everyone to do it or else the only elephants will be in a zoo.

[calibra101]

I also signed on the R/T.

[the*mystical*pug]

I have signed, the image on the petition is just horrific. I love elephants. 

[rainydaywoman11]

Signed.

The image in my paper or weekend mag was of a 50 year old noble male, Satao, and they had cut his face off - I'll repeat that, they cut his face off.  I was howling with rage and upset, hot angry tears - and this is for what - to fuel the desire for some ivory trinkets.

It is estimated that in the past year alone, 20,00 elephants have been killed.  Armed gangs are now shooting them from helicopters - the ivory is so valuable it outstrips even the drug market.  

In the minute or so that I watched, there were signatures from Romania, Australia, NZ, Chile, USA, Italy, France and UK.  We must all try to save these magnificent animals, who live in social groups, walk miles every day and exhibit almost human feelings of tenderness and grief.  

If you google, you'll find Satao, - please take the time to sign or your children and grandchildren won't be watching any more wildlife programmes about elephants - they'll have to go to the zoo.

[ilove2patch]

Well said Carol. I just hope action is taken soon.:(

[saasher2012]

I seemed to have missed this thread, horrific! Signed this morning, wish it could sign more than once, I did notice the lack of signatures from the country that is being supplied , says it all really doesn't it?

[ilove2patch]

If you have more than one email try signing on each.:)

[saasher2012]

Unfortunately I don't & I also don't do Facebook, Twitter etc,,my only consolation is that several of my colleagues do ,so I'm passing the word around!.

[bankhaunter]

Evolution seems to be solving the problem, elephants in areas where they are threatened, are being born without tusks

Unfortunately it doesn't help the elephant that much as they need tusks to help them grub for food so poachers do need to be stopped before tusks are bred out.

[rainydaywoman11]

I always look at whatever you post bankhaunter as you write so eloquently on any number of subjects.  I didn't know that about the elephants.  I've always had a soft spot for them as animals since seeing them as a child in the Disney film, 'Jungle Book'.

We lived out in the East many years ago and I, in my ignorance, had ivory jewellery, long destroyed.