International summit on illegal wildlife trade makes positive pledges to protect animals

Positive measures to protect wildlife from illegal trade were pledged at today’s London Summit on the issue.

Decision-makers from around 50 countries met in the Capital to discuss the plight of elephants, rhinos, tigers and other species threatened by the bloody poaching crisis at the meeting hosted by the UK Government, HRH Prince Charles and the Duke of Cambridge.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) welcomed the UK’s leadership in bringing together key countries at such a crucial time to fight wildlife crime.

Robbie Marsland, UK Director of IFAW, said: “IFAW is pleased to see that representatives from 50 countries around the world have committed to reducing consumer demand for illegal wildlife products, ensuring that there are strong laws in place that are effectively enforced, and that there are sustainable alternative livelihoods so that people are not forced into poaching animals out of desperation.

“Whilst we broadly welcome the contents of the declaration, we are disappointed that it doesn’t explicitly commit to eliminating domestic markets for ivory, rhino horn and tiger products.  These markets confuse consumers, make enforcement difficult and provide criminals with an opportunity to launder their illegal products.”

Wildlife crime has been widely acknowledged as being a serious threat to wildlife, but also has implications for international security. The poaching crisis must be halted in order to ensure elephants, rhinos, tigers and other threatened species are protected for future generations.

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For more information, photographs or to arrange interviews please contact Clare Sterling at IFAW on +44 (0)20 7587 6708, mobile +44 (0)7917 507717, email csterling@ifaw.org or Amanda Gent at IFAW on +44 (0)20 7587 6725, mobile +44 (0)7860 755876 or email agent@ifaw.org