Zambia denies it has proposed sale of its ivory

UPDATED: 09:44, May 12, 2007
Zambia Friday denied that it has submitted a proposal to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) for the sale of its ivory. Director general Lewis Saiwana of the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) described as a misrepresentation the reports that it has submitted the proposal. He told a press briefing in Lusaka that his country has however supported the proposals by other countries in the region to benefit from the wildlife. He said Zambia's support is in line with the country's intention to offload its 28 tons of government-owned ivory stockpiles, which is in ZAWA custody.

Recently Namibia and Botswana submitted a proposal to the 14th conference of parties to CITES to take place next month requesting for an amendment to the conditional sales to include other activities that will benefit conservation and rural livelihood. Saiwana said Zambian government's intention has nothing to do with the killing of elephants for the sake of obtaining ivory for sale. However, the ZAWA official said Zambia would place a notification to sale its ivory during the next CITES conference to be held in 2010.

Currently the country has a stockpile of 28 tons of ivory owned by the government and which came from elephants that either died naturally or were killed after they killed people, he said. The ZAWA director general said Zambia has a big role to play as the regional representative and as a party to the CITES. Saiwana said wildlife resources when used sustainably can add economic value of the nation and to the conservation efforts of the same wildlife resources. He said those countries with good management strategies should be rewarded and not punished for the weakness of others. Zambia has a population of 25,000 elephants, Zimbabwe about 100, 000, Botswana 108,000 elephants. "Southern Africa should be rewarded for the healthy populations of the African elephants coupled with good conservation ethics hence the outcry for a chance to accord an opportunity to benefit from the resources they are conserving," he said.

Source: Xinhua