Ugandan ivory seized in Thailand

A tonne of Ugandan ivory has been impounded in Bangkok, Thailand, the biggest seizure of illegal animal products from Uganda in recent years. The consignment is believed to have been cleared through Entebbe airport, Uganda and police are investigating.

Moses Mapesa, the head of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, condemned the trade in ivory. 'We want the police to address the menace and the culprits apprehended. Over 10 elephants could have been killed to get the tonne of ivory, which he suspected came from the DR Congo'.

Elephants are an endangered species that will become extinct if nothing is done to control trade in trophies from their bodies. The trade was banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species after poachers reduced elephant population in Africa from 1.3 million in 1980 to just 600,000 in 1989. A kilogramme of ivory goes for $300 in China and the Far East, the biggest destinations.

(Gerald Tenywa, The New Vision, 24th March 2009)

Comment - Yet a further report of this kind reinforcing the need for UCF to continue supporting the Uganda Wildlife Authority in its work against illegal activities through its Waterways Project and to support the Elephant DNA Project. Your donations will help this work.

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