TRAFFIC clarify the elephant sport hunting issue...

From a very early date, CITES has allowed trade in hunting trophies of
species listed in App. I (see Resolution Conf. 2.11 (Rev.). This is
based upon the belief that in some cases hunting can enhance the
survival of a species. For example, white rhino in South Africa, even
when they were on App. I were hunted and the species has made a recovery
and is now listed in App. II. This reasoning behind the acceptance of
sport hunted trophies from App. I species is obviously contentious, but
it has a longstanding history within CITES.

African elephants, since their inclusion in App. I in 1989, have
continued to be sport hunted since that time. Indeed, Tanzania, who led
the fight to have all populations included in App. I, arguing that they
suffered uncontrollable poaching and had nearly lost all of their older
males with large tusks. No sooner had the gavel come down on their
successful bid to put all elephant populations in App. I, the Tanzanians
then led a fight to ensure that it's quota for 100 sport hunted
elephants was left in tact. They achieved both results at the same
meeting!

Thus, Zambia is a beneficiary of these developments. The process for
establishing quotas for African elephant trophies is found in the
section entitled 'Regarding quotas for and trade in raw ivory' in
Resolution Conf. 10.10 (Rev. CoP12). If Zambia is going to increase
their quota it will be under this procedure. You will see that under
paragraph d) the CITES Secretariat has some oversight responsibilities
and can, if there is cause for concern, not communicate the quota to the
Parties.

I therefore think that if civil society in Zambia wishes to question
the Zambian quota the best way forward is to submit relevant information
and assessment to the CITES Secretariat to form the basis of concern and
further investigation.

I hope this clarifies the procedure. You should be able to access the
relevant CITES Resolutions on their website at www.cites.org
Tom Milliken