Success: U.S. and China Make Deal to Ban Ivory Trade

elephants_brian snelson

Target: President Xi Jinping

Goal: Thank China for agreeing to an ivory ban that could save elephants from extinction.

President Barack Obama and China President Xi Jinping have agreed to ban the import and export of ivory, an industry that has been devastating to the elephant population. This promise by the two superpowers is being hailed as the most significant step yet in shutting down the ivory industry. Activists, including the ForceChange community, have been very vocal about the threat of poaching on the future of elephants’ existence, and global outrage has helped influence the need for tougher restrictions.

The United States already has a near-total ban on commercial ivory, but China’s government, up until recently, promoted it. China’s thriving middle class has boosted the demand for ivory, which is seen as a symbol of high status in their society. The Chinese government had previously raised the prices of ivory, which allowed poachers to make more profit from it. Many who take part in the illegal killing of elephants for the ivory trade are part of gangs and terrorist organizations. Without China backing down, these poachers wouldn’t opt out of this lucrative industry.

The agreement is the first time the Presidents of the United States and China have made a specific shared commitment to protect wildlife. It’s put ivory trafficking on the agenda of two of the most influential political leaders in the world. China has committed to restrict their domestic ivory trade, including the import of ivory hunting trophies. The agreement will also expand China’s training and law enforcement on keeping out illegal ivory while creating public education and information on ivory’s wildlife atrocities.

China’s ivory ban is the largest single step in stopping elephant poaching, according to Peter Knights, the executive director of the advocacy group WildAid. Thank the Chinese President for agreeing to this ban.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear President Jinping,

I want to give you my sincere gratitude for taking an important step in ending elephant poaching. The ivory trade is devastating to the elephant community and is killing them at such an alarming rate that some species are now feared to be reaching extinction. Elephants are beautiful, social and intelligent creatures whose lives are far too valuable to be exploited for ivory products.

I recognize China’s large industry in ivory and am glad that you enacted the necessary changes to stop your role in elephant poaching. The commercial trade of ivory in cities such as Hong Kong provided access to ivory laundering, and an ivory ban in China was necessary to curb this illegal activity.

The agreement between you and President Obama is monumental and is being celebrated by wildlife activists. It signals China’s wildlife conservation efforts and its influence will be felt in the illegal ivory market. Thank you for enacting an ivory ban and helping to save the elephant community.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Brian Snelson


5 Comments

  1. I wonder who is going to police the viroy ban? Whaling was banned, but Japan continues the killing.

  2. Kae Blecha, OTR says:

    This law is a good start. Now China needs less corruption and more education on the humane treatment of animals.

  3. Heather Brophy says:

    SORRY, DON’T TRUST China OR Japan!

  4. China is not owed any gratitude for this alleged agreement. They were doing wrong and being evil but it is very bad luck to have ivory, the evil eye is on them forever. They will always have bad luck in China because of the way they kill so many animals. …

  5. ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME ???
    HOW CAN YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT KNOWING THESE MONSTERS ARE DOING THIS SHIT TO INNOCENT ANIMALS AND ENJOYING IT ?
    YOU NEED A WAKE UP CALL . I WILL NOT BE KIND IN THIS LETTER PLEADING YOU BECAUSE NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO BEG YOU TO NOT PERMIT THESE HORRIFIC ACTS FROM HAPPENING. THESE BASTARDS INFLICTING THIS SHIT ARE NOT HUMANS…YOU HAVE TO HAVE HUMANITY TO BE THAT.
    YOU MAKE THIS MONSTEROUS SHIT STOP NOW ! I WISH THE LONGEST AND MOST PAINFUL DEATH TO ALL WHO HAVE INFLICTED THE TORTURE AND MURDER ON THESE ANIMALS AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE TURNED A BLIND EYE AND PERMITTED THIS.
    GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER BECAUSE KARMA IS A BITCH. THESE ARE ANIMALS WITH REAL FEELINGS OF PAIN, AND INTELLIGENCE.
    WHAT YOU DONT STOP IS JUST CRIMINAL. GOD HELP YOUR DECISION . YOUR AFTERLIFE IS ALL UP TO YOUR CHOICES…BUT RIGHT NOW YOUR JUST SHIT FOR LETTING THIS HAPPEN AND FORCING PEOPLE TO PLEA TO SAVE THESE ANIMALS WHICH SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN VICTIMS IN THE FIRST PLACE !

    You can either turn sorrowfully or
    carelessly away from an animal in
    distress or summon the courage to run
    forward and help.
    We can judge the heart of a person by their treatment of
    animals.
    (Ghandi)

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