I have truly amazing news: The Obama Administration just announced a big step towards banning ivory sales in the United States. This country is one of the largest markets for ivory in the world – I simply can't overstate what an important moment this is in the fight to save elephants.
The announcement comes at a time of unprecedented slaughter. New WCS data shows that a shocking 9% of forest elephants are poached each year. We already knew that 2011 and 2012 were two of the worst years for African elephants. While supporters like you have helped us ramp up protections, well-organized criminal poachers stepped up their game, too. 2013 proved to be just as deadly.
This could be the turning point.
The White House issued a major new strategy to combat wildlife crime, committing the full power of the United States to stopping elephant poaching and ivory trafficking, and other wildlife crime. WCS President and CEO, Cristián Samper, who serves on the Presidential Advisory Council to the Task Force, summed up this strategy perfectly when he said: "Wildlife criminals, beware."
Take a moment today to feel proud. This victory for elephants belongs to you. The Obama Administration formed this task force partly in response to the public outcry over the escalating poaching crisis. Together we've been sounding the alarm, sending over 200,000 letters in the last year alone.
But though we're celebrating today and this is a great first step, we still have much more to do. The Administration has done everything within its power to stop the crisis but more will need to be done. We will require state and federal legislation to strengthen penalties, governments to crack down on these criminals, and, ultimately, adequate resources to ensure domestic and global enforcement of the ivory and rhino horn ban. We won't stop until we make sure sales of ivory have no legal place in our country while ensuring that the legislative and regulatory framework is in place to stop this senseless slaughter.
There's also so much more to be done to protect elephants in the wild. The crime syndicates and traders are not about to lay down their arms and admit defeat. They know the world is paying attention and could double down their efforts in response.
We're helping to turn the tide, but there's so much more to be done. On average, 96 elephants are still dying every day. That's why we're soldiering on in the fight to stop the killing, stop the trafficking, and stop the demand. We'll be working with the governments across Africa and Asia to help implement this strategy while continuing our work with the U.S. Congress and local and state government to close any existing loopholes in the ivory trade laws here in the U.S.
I know that together we can save elephants. Whether it's sending a letter, telling a friend about the crisis facing elephants, sharing an image on Facebook, or making a donation to support our work to protect them, every action matters. This is a great reminder of the power of our voices and our actions.
Thanks for all you do.
Sincerely,
John F. Calvelli
Executive Vice President for Public Affairs
Wildlife Conservation Society