Ivory seized in Singapore a decade ago to be burnt in Kenya.

After almost 10 years of investigations and intense lobbying, seven African countries have agreed that tonnes of contraband ivory seized in Singapore in 2002 be set ablaze in Kenya.In a high profile ceremony to be attended by members of what is called the Lusaka Agreement, 335 tusks and 41,553 hankos will be set on fire at Tsavo West National Park on July 20. 

Hankos are signature stamps, similar to rubber stamps, but made from ivory and popular in Asia. This consignment was destined for Japan. According to the Lusaka Agreement secretariat’s director Bonaventure Ebayi, who is based in Nairobi, this is part of 6.5 tonnes of ivory seized in Singapore in 2002 and brought to Nairobi in 2004 for investigations.

It was estimated that more than 300 elephants had been killed for the ivory. Wildlife authorities seized the opportunity to try out a unique law enforcement tool using DNA. The investigators took samples of the ivory and sent them to the University of Washington in Seattle, US.

One of the investigators, Dr Sam Wasser who is the director of the Center for Conservation Biology at the University of Washington, said they were able to establish that most of the ivory seized in Singapore came from an area in Zambia.
The agreement to destroy the consignment is a rare occurrence among countries as some hold different views on ivory trade.

Tanzania and Zambia are for the opening up of trade in ivory, saying any profits from sales could be ploughed back into elephant conservation.
Kenya on the other hand is opposed to the opening up of the trade, arguing that this could lead to more poaching. The decision to destroy the Singapore hoard was a give and take affair, with no one country emerging a clear winner.
Ms Mwangunga said the proposals will be submitted before the next Cites meeting in two years.Tanzania has consistently lobbied Cites to allow the country to sell off its ivory stockpiles.

However, Cites turned down Tanzania’s request at its 15th meeting in Doha last year, an action that resulted in Tanzania blaming Kenya for spearheading what it sees as negative propaganda against the spirit of East African cooperation.The Lusaka Agreement countries are Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Republics of Congo, Liberia, Zambia and Lesotho while Ethiopia, South Africa and Swaziland are signatories.

Apart from burning the ivory, the taskforce will in July launch a special account for fund-raising to support activities in curtailing illegal ivory trade in member countries.

ETT- Kenya Safaris Desk

Etton Travel and Tours