We have arrived safely in Doha, Qatar for the 15th CITES meeting and the whispering in the halls has begun.
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Tanzania and Zambia are on the ropes as new reports are surfacing about ineffective wildlife law enforcement in the countries. How can ivory trade from Tanzania be approved when CITES’ own Panel of Experts acknowledges that the country has lost as many as 30,000 elephants in 3 years?
Meanwhile, the CITES Standing Committee met this morning in its first session and praised Nigeria for its improved enforcement efforts and commitment to implementing the Convention.
Born Free USA Executive Vice President Adam Roberts is here with me and this morning we reviewed preparations for Sunday’s start of Conference. Have a look:
[video:youtube:LC6yGzLf2pk]Check back each day for all the exciting news as the life-and-death decisions affecting the world’s wildlife are handed down by government officials from as many as 175 countries.
Elephants, tigers, sharks, frogs, polar bears … what will their future look like when the Conference concludes on 25 March? Born Free USA will report it all to you every step of the way.
Blogging off,
Will
PS. Do you share my opposition to the trade in elephant ivory? Sign the petition at www.bloodyivory.org and spread the word!