Bill Description:
Prohibits any person from selling, purchasing, bartering, or possessing with intent to sell any ivory or rhinoceros horn. Ivory is defined the tooth or tusk from any animal, including an elephant, hippopotamus, mammoth, narwhal, walrus, or whale.[teaserbreak]
Exemptions:
• Official action taken by an employee or agent of the federal or state government.
• Import expressly authorized by federal license or permit.
• For bona fide educational or scientific purposes.
• As part of a bona fide antique (at least 100 years old) that is less than 20% by volume of the antique, and if the owner or seller has adequate documentation
• As part of a musical instrument or a firearm that was manufactured not later than 1975, if the owner or seller has adequate documentation.
Background:
African elephants are nearing extinction due to the high price of ivory and consumer demand. An average of 96 elephants are slaughtered daily by poachers, and over 100,000 have been killed in the past 3 years. Read more about the horrific ivory trade here.
Meanwhile, rhinos are killed for their horns, which are believed to have medicinal powers in parts of Asia. This market is fueling the slaughter of more than 1,000 rhinos per year. Only 25,000 black and white rhinos remain across all of Africa, and they could become extinct in the wild in as little as 12 years.
The U.S. is a significant destination for both ivory and rhino horn. State legislation banning the trade in these products is aimed at reducing the demand.
Take Action:
Michigan residents, contact your state representative and urge him or her to support this legislation!
Read the full text here.