THE heated debate on the rampant illegal ivory trade ravaging parts of Africa moves to the fore as the Convention on Illegal Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) considers the fate of elephants and rhinos.Delegates from 183 countries will decide on a range of proposals as the conference enters its second week, including whether to tighten or loosen restriction on the trade of ivory from elephants and rhinos.Zimbabwe and Namibia have lead the charge to allow limited sales of domestic ivory, together with SA and Zambia. Their elephant populations fall under Appendix II. These states, which have been largely successful in protecting their elephants, argue that funds from ivory sales could be ploughed back into conservation efforts.But a number of other countries, including Botswana and the US, want all elephant populations listed on Appendix I under a formal global ban.A proposal by Swaziland on whether to allow the country to trade in rhino horn will also be di...
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