Wildlife Campaign Wins Far-Reaching Support

The first World Wildlife Day wins strong support, as the awareness of the destruction of iconic species such as elephants and rhinoceros grows more widely. The U.N. secretary general calls for sustainable use of wild plants and animals. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry notes the success that African and Asian nations are making in their pursuit of illegal trafficking rings.

The first recognition of World Wildlife Day March 3 won support from nations in all regions and from organizations representing broad interests. The event was managed by the secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), in response to a U.N. General Assembly resolution.

“On this inaugural World Wildlife Day, I urge all sectors of society to end illegal wildlife trafficking and commit to trading and using wild plants and animals sustainably and equitably,” U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.

Organizations focused on agriculture, development, nature conservation, law enforcement, trade and tourism expressed their support for wildlife preservation and the protection of threatened species, CITES reported.

Since 2012, the Obama administration has been promoting an international coalition against wildlife trafficking to coordinate prevention and apprehension efforts among law enforcement and other groups. Secretary of State John Kerry reported progress in a World Wildlife Day statement.

“Togo sent a strong message to the world last month, when authorities made multiple seizures of illegal ivory, totaling more than four tons,” Kerry said. “Just last week, the Prime Minister of Vietnam announced a new national directive to combat the illicit trade in wildlife parts. We know that when the world acts in concert, change happens.”

In November 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service destroyed six tons of elephant ivory seized by the agency over time due to violations of laws and treaties. The demonstration sends a message to illegal trafficking rings that the United States will not tolerate the destruction of species. Other nations have followed suit in the ensuing months with ivory-destruction events, demonstrating growing international solidarity in the campaign to stop trafficking in wildlife products.