Export of Namibian elephants possibly illegal

International conservationists and wildlife experts are describing the export of 42 wild elephants from Namibia as possibly illegal.

Violation of CITES

In a press release, animal welfare organisations stated that Namibia's elephant exports violate the international rules of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Humane Society International, the Franz Weber Foundation, Born Free Foundation and five other organisations have called on Namibian authorities to immediately halt the elephant exports.

«Although we do not yet know the identity of the buyers, it is highly likely that Namibia intends to export the animals to foreign zoos, which would mean lifelong captivity for the exported animals and a possible collapse of the fragile, desert-adapted elephant population in Namibia», said Vera Weber, President of the Franz Weber Foundation.

Namibia sets a dangerous precedent

The capture and export of Namibian elephants should be stopped immediately for legal and ethical reasons, the organisations stated.

Dr. Mark Jones, Head of Policy at the Born Free Foundation, described Namibia's interpretation of the regulations for the export of wild animals as «dubious», saying it «creates a loophole that serves their purposes.»

Capture is cruel

«African elephants are intelligent, sentient animals with highly developed emotional complexity and strong social and family bonds that last a lifetime», said Jeff Flocken, President of Humane Society International.

«It is unconscionable cruelty to subject these wild animals to brutal and traumatic captivity, to separate them from their families, and to condemn them to lifelong imprisonment — solely for human entertainment.»