EU gives €12.3m to save elephants

By The Citizen Correspondent

Posted  Saturday, December 7   2013

In Summary

• “Illegal killing of endangered species is currently one of the major threats to wildlife in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. It involves heavily armed and organised criminal networks, who contribute to insecurity and, therefore, hamper development.
•  

Dar es Salaam. The European Union has joined efforts to save the African elephant population which is threatened by poaching and illegal ivory trade mostly to Asia countries.

The EU announced this week it would give euros 12.3 million to help fight against poaching by strengthening the monitoring of the wildlife population and poaching. It also promised to help improve law enforcement through training and operational support as well as establishing an emergency response system.

“Illegal killing of endangered species is currently one of the major threats to wildlife in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. It involves heavily armed and organised criminal networks, who contribute to insecurity and, therefore, hamper development. This calls for a coherent approach to tackle threats to biodiversity and security in these three regions,” said European commissioner for development Andris Piebalgs. The intervention came following a meeting in Gaborone, Botswana, between countries whose elephant population is at risk and the countries considered the largest consumers of ivory derived from poaching.

European commissioner for environment, Janez Potocnik said: “This new programme shows that the EU is ready to strengthen its efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and reduce its devastating impacts on biodiversity.

I particularly welcome the focus on better enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (cites) rules, which will help countries reinforce their capacity in that area.”

He said the EU considered a holistic approach due to high demand in illicit wildlife products and a serious threat to security.