A GROUP of people concerned about the plight of rhinos and elephants in the country gathered to march at the Durban beachfront on Saturday to take part in the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos.
The group handed a memorandum of demand to the mayor's office which stated the fact that African mega-fauna are in deep crisis.
It is estimated that an African elephant is killed for its ivory every 15 minutes, and an African rhino dies for its horn every eight hours. At last count, there were fewer than 400 000 elephants and 18 000 rhinos left in the wild in Africa.
“These iconic animals, as well as many more critically-endangered species (such as lions and pangolins) are targeted by international criminal networks for their highly lucrative body parts. If the slaughter is permitted to continue at present rates, these species will be extinct within a generation.
“Wildlife trafficking threatens global ecosystems and the geopolitical stability of the African continent. The chain of criminality and corruption that is killing these animals will also kill civil society and civilisations. Only the power and will of enlightened governments can break this chain,” said Clair Crook from The Triumphant Animal Welfare Fund.
Declaration of demands included that government recognise this growing global movement and the right of people everywhere in the world to have a say in what happens to collective natural heritage.
“Wildlife trafficking must end – all that is required is an act of political will. It is our preference that all stockpiles of endangered wildlife products are verifiably destroyed,” said Clair.
On 3 and 4 October (World Animal Day), people in more than 100 cities around the world marched against the illegal wildlife trade and called on their governments to take action to end poaching and the trade in ivory and rhino horn.
