Washington, D.C. — In recognition of Earth Day, Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced legislation to save the world’s last remaining African elephants and rhinoceros from poachers. The bill would impose trade sanctions on countries that facilitate ivory and rhino horn trafficking. Ivory from elephant tusks and horn from rhinos contributes billions of dollars to the global illegal wildlife trade and funds organized crime and terrorist organizations. [teaserbreak]
“More than 20,000 elephants and 1,200 rhinos were slaughtered in 2014 alone and over 1,000 park rangers have been killed trying to protect endangered wildlife,” said DeFazio. “The illegal wildlife trade funds the operations of gun, drug and human trafficking crime syndicates. It also funds extremely dangerous terrorist groups that threaten regional stability in Africa and national security in the United States. We need to choke off the access to the market. My legislation sends a strong message—if countries permit this illegal trafficking, there will be economic consequences.”
DeFazio also testified today at a hearing about the national security challenges of poaching and terrorism held by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade. His statement can be found here.
DeFazio’s legislation, the Targeted Use of Sanctions for Killing Elephants and Rhinoceros (TUSKER) Act, was named in honor of Satao, a large-tusked (or tusker) elephant who was butchered last year by poachers in Kenya.
According to the UN Security Council, a number of terrorist organizations are funded in part by the sale of elephant ivory, rhino horn, and other stolen natural resources. They include Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda, the Janjaweed in Darfur, and the Al-Qaeda linked terrorist group Al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab is responsible for two recent attacks in Kenya that have left more than 100 people dead. It is reported to receive as much as 40 percent of its financing from the sale of illegal ivory and other poached wildlife.
The legislation is supported by many major international wildlife and conservation groups, including Born Free, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the World Wildlife Fund, Animal Welfare Institute, and Humane Society International. Statements of support can be found below.
Adam Roberts – CEO, Born Free USA: “The international illicit ivory trade is being driven by dangerous organized crime syndicates in Africa and Asia and must be stopped. Elephants continue to be slaughtered at record levels; heroic park rangers are literally laying their lives on the line to keep them safe; and national security in the most vulnerable parts of Africa is made more fragile. Congressman DeFazio deserves the full support of all Members of Congress for tackling this significant issue head-on.”
Ginette Hemley – Senior Vice President of Wildlife Conservation, World Wildlife Fund: “We fully support the goal of this legislation, which is to ensure the integrity of countries’ commitments to prevent illegal trade in ivory. With the ongoing poaching crisis devastating many of the world’s remaining elephant populations, it is critical we ensure that international agreements on wildlife trade such as CITES are effective, enforceable, and include penalties for those countries that consistently fail to uphold their commitments.”
Cathy Liss – President, Animal Welfare Institute: “Poaching, often orchestrated by terrorist organizations, is decimating vulnerable wildlife populations around the world while providing funds terrorists use to fuel their deadly attacks against innocent people, including children. Elephants and rhinoceroses are under serious threat as wildlife trafficking reaches unprecedented levels. We are pleased to support Rep. DeFazio in this effort to combat the poaching crisis by ensuring that countries involved in the trafficking of illicit ivory and rhino horn are held accountable and subject to trade sanctions if they fail to reduce such threats. The very survival of these animals requires strong and decisive action to stop the wanton destruction and brutality associated with the ivory and rhino horn trade.”
Jeff Flocken – Regional Director, North America, International Fund for Animal Welfare: “Every 15 minutes, a poacher kills an elephant for its ivory. It’s a material that nobody—except for elephants—needs, and this new legislation from Rep. DeFazio is an important step toward ending the senseless violence and making the world safer for people and animals. The United States has the ability and the responsibility to promote conservation goals here at home and around the world, and efforts like this are crucial to protecting endangered wildlife for generations to come.”
Elly Pepper – Wildlife Advocate, Natural Resources Defense Council: “The illegal wildlife trade isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a national security issue. International thugs, organized criminal syndicates and terrorists have used the multibillion-dollar trade in wildlife parts to raise funds for their nefarious activities. And that sets up a vicious cycle with only negative results: species extinctions, detrimental ecosystem impacts, and decreased national security. This bill is an important step in breaking that dangerous cycle.”