We’ve Been Here Before
International Trade in Ivory and Rhino Horn
Commercial trade in ivory and rhino horn stimulates demand, increases poaching and illegal trade, and undermines enforcement efforts. Attempts at ‘regulated’ commercial ivory and rhino horn trade have never worked; instead, they have negatively impacted wild elephant and rhino populations, and trade proposals have consistently been rejected by CITES Parties in recognition of this.
Allowing legal trade in rhino horn or ivory from one country has serious repercussions for wild rhinos and elephants in all range States. Namibia’s proposals to CoP20 to trade in rhino horn and ivory stockpiles threaten to reverse decades of global conservation, anti-poaching, and demand reduction progress.
