Namibia says its decision to sell 22 wild elephants to a zoo in the United Arab Emirates was legal and it was necessary to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Ministry of environment, forestry and tourism executive director Teofilus Nghitila said the transaction was in line with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
“I have indicated earlier that these live sales of these African elephants fulfil Article Three of the CITES, and making reference to that article, it set procedures that need to be followed and the responsible authority has to cross-check and also in consultation with the CITES Secretariat, that that requirement is fulfilled,” he was quoted by VOA as saying.
“So, we have not received any opposition for the CITES at this stage and that means the condition is fulfilled."
However, some conservationists said Windhoek sold the elephants illegally.
EMS Foundation executive director Michele Pickover said Windhoek misread Article Three of the CITES, which deals with the export of endangered species from their natural habitats.
“O.K. that I think would be Namibia seeing Article Three as a loophole. Article Three is essentially around Trade in Appendix One animals, but elephants from Namibia are actually Appendix Two animals since 1996, they are seen as Appendix Two elephants,” she said.
Blogs
