Born Free USA commends California governor Jerry Brown for signing Assembly Speaker Toni G. Atkins’ legislation, A.B. 96, into law on October 4. A.B. 96 strengthens California’s fight against the illegal slaughter of elephants and rhinos.[teaserbreak]
The U.S. is the second largest ivory consumer in the world, with New York, California, and Hawaii being the country’s largest markets for ivory. Illegal trafficking of these wildlife products is directly responsible for shocking declines in wild populations in recent years, and A.B. 96 is a crucial step toward reducing the target market in the U.S.
Currently, the ban on ivory trade in California includes an exemption for products imported before January 1, 1977. A.B. 96 removes this exemption and prohibits a person from purchasing, selling, offering for sale, possessing with intent to sell, or importing with intent to sell elephant ivory or rhinoceros horn, except as specified under very limited educational and scientific circumstances, and would make this prohibition enforceable by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
According to Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA and the Born Free Foundation, “The elephant poaching epidemic across Africa has reached crisis levels and rhino poaching is escalating exponentially. We are thankful that Governor Jerry Brown signed this important piece of legislation into law, which is a crucial part of ending the slaughter.”
A.B. 96 was supported by Born Free USA, The Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International, Natural Resources Defense Council, Performing Animal Welfare Society, Wildlife Conservation Society, California Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Oakland Zoo, and Asian Pacific Alliance for Wildlife Sustainability.
Please click here for the press release and click here to view the bill.