USA: SAY NO TO IVORY
Around the United States there is a movement, a movement to say NO to IVORY. The United States is the second highest consumer of ivory. An ivory ban would send a clear signal to the rest of the world that ivory is not a commodity to be traded. Please take a moment to get involved.
(many thanks to Facebook follower Clearie Lewis for bringing this to our attention!)
READ THE BILLS
CONTACT KEY STATES
Contact Virginia Senators HERE
Contact Iowa Senators HERE
Contact California HERE
Contact Federal Government HERE
CONTACT YOUR State REP & SENATOR and send them a note today. Use our template letter below:
[Your Address] [Date]To: [Your Governmental Leader & Position]
I am writing on behalf of Earth’s last elephants and all victims, human and animal alike, of the horrific poaching crisis in Africa. I am part of a people’s movement focused on the mitigation and cessation of poaching by calling for an outright ban on the sale and importation of ivory within and into [Your Country’s Name Here].
Every 15 minutes at least one elephant is killed for it’s tusks. That’s 96 elephants a day. And recent research states that more elephants are being slaughtered by poachers than are being born. This unsustainable practice will lead to the extinction of a keystone species in Africa. Let’s end the uncertainty, and the ongoing threat to elephants’ lives: I urge you to pass an immediate and total ban on the sale and import of ivory within and into [Your Country’s Name Here].
The poaching crisis doesn’t just affect elephants, but has negative impacts on the lives of Africans who depend on travel tourism for their income. Rangers who signed up to care for wildlife and parks are now risking their lives as poachers armed with weapons enter parks and shoot to kill both elephants and humans. Over 1,000 rangers have lost their lives to these “ivory wars.” The illegal ivory trade also directly funds terrorist organizations such as Al Shabaab and Kony’s LRA putting global security at risk. The illegal wildlife trade value is estimated at $19 billion USD and is now the fourth largest global illegal trade after narcotics, counterfeiting and human trafficking.
I would appreciate knowing what your progress and strategy has been to date. Time is running out for the African elephants, and no less than our priceless heritage and global security is at stake in this effort. Thank you.
Sincerely,
[Your name and country]
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Great job, Elephantopia! Will you continue to update this list of states, as other states have introduced bills? Here is Maryland’s: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&stab=01&id=hb0713&tab=subject3&ys=2015RS
[…] UK. And here in the United States, while New York & New Jersey have outlawed the sale of ivory (with a few other states proposing such laws), there are groups like “Elephant Protection” who are lobbying politicians to ALLOW a […]
[…] (Many thanks to the Tusk Task Force for this information - visit their page to learn keep up to date with the latest bills and actions needed to BAN IVORY in the USA!) […]