Menu
05/09/2006
'Alarming' number of Brits buying wildlife souvenirs
More than 600,000 Britons have returned from holidays abroad with wildlife souvenirs, including ivory, in the past five years, a poll by the International Fund for Animal Welfare has revealed.
Ifaw said that threatened species, including elephants, rhinos, leopards and turtles, are being slaughtered internationally - and mostly illegally - in order to feed an increasing trade that turns ivory, fur, claws, teeth and shells into holiday trinkets.
Nikki Kelly, Ifaw wildlife campaigner, said: "Most of these souvenirs are being bought unwittingly simply because travellers are confused by the complex laws governing trade in wild animals or because they just aren't aware of them. Worse still, wildlife souvenirs are often sold so openly abroad many tourists mistakenly believe they must be legal."
Ifaw has launched an international awareness campaign, 'Think Twice', which is urging travellers to avoid buying wild animal trinkets when on holiday. The campaign will be strongly targeting travellers heading to South Africa - which attracts nearly 500,000 British tourists each year - where the charity says a "rampant" souvenir trade is endangering wildlife in South, Western and Central Africa, as well as Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Ifaw said that a recent undercover investigation in South Africa revealed that souvenirs made from elephant ivory and hair, sharks' teeth, lion and cheetah claws, porcupine quills and zebra skin were being "extensively, openly and often illegally sold in airports, markets and curio shops".
Ifaw's campaign is being supported by the Association of British Travel Agents. Keith Richards, ABTA's Head of Consumer Affairs, said: "The destruction being caused to wildlife just for the sake of souvenirs has alarmed us, not least because tourism is among the world's fastest growing businesses.
"Unless the travel industry acts now, some of the very animals so many people go abroad to see may soon only be found on our mantelpieces or in our jewellery boxes."
(KMcA/SP)
Ifaw said that threatened species, including elephants, rhinos, leopards and turtles, are being slaughtered internationally - and mostly illegally - in order to feed an increasing trade that turns ivory, fur, claws, teeth and shells into holiday trinkets.
Nikki Kelly, Ifaw wildlife campaigner, said: "Most of these souvenirs are being bought unwittingly simply because travellers are confused by the complex laws governing trade in wild animals or because they just aren't aware of them. Worse still, wildlife souvenirs are often sold so openly abroad many tourists mistakenly believe they must be legal."
Ifaw has launched an international awareness campaign, 'Think Twice', which is urging travellers to avoid buying wild animal trinkets when on holiday. The campaign will be strongly targeting travellers heading to South Africa - which attracts nearly 500,000 British tourists each year - where the charity says a "rampant" souvenir trade is endangering wildlife in South, Western and Central Africa, as well as Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Ifaw said that a recent undercover investigation in South Africa revealed that souvenirs made from elephant ivory and hair, sharks' teeth, lion and cheetah claws, porcupine quills and zebra skin were being "extensively, openly and often illegally sold in airports, markets and curio shops".
Ifaw's campaign is being supported by the Association of British Travel Agents. Keith Richards, ABTA's Head of Consumer Affairs, said: "The destruction being caused to wildlife just for the sake of souvenirs has alarmed us, not least because tourism is among the world's fastest growing businesses.
"Unless the travel industry acts now, some of the very animals so many people go abroad to see may soon only be found on our mantelpieces or in our jewellery boxes."
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 June 2005
Government announces public review on primate pets
Members of the public will be invited to have their say on keeping monkeys and other primates as pets, in a public consultation on the issue. Biodiversity Minister Jim Knight is expected to announce the consultation at the launch of an International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
Government announces public review on primate pets
Members of the public will be invited to have their say on keeping monkeys and other primates as pets, in a public consultation on the issue. Biodiversity Minister Jim Knight is expected to announce the consultation at the launch of an International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
12 November 2004
Ivory Coast strife could spread across West Africa, says UN
The flare-up of violence in the Ivory Coast – which has seen 300 British troops sent in to evacuate British nationals – could spread across West Africa and plunge the region back into conflict, a senior UN official has warned.
Ivory Coast strife could spread across West Africa, says UN
The flare-up of violence in the Ivory Coast – which has seen 300 British troops sent in to evacuate British nationals – could spread across West Africa and plunge the region back into conflict, a senior UN official has warned.
18 October 2006
Wildlife crime unit launched
A police-led unit to target and disrupt serious wildlife crime on a regional, national and international level has been launched in Edinburgh. The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) is the only one of its kind in the UK.
Wildlife crime unit launched
A police-led unit to target and disrupt serious wildlife crime on a regional, national and international level has been launched in Edinburgh. The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) is the only one of its kind in the UK.
16 February 2004
Forests have key role in fight against poverty and pollution: UN
Forests and similar natural habitats have a key role to play in alleviating poverty and protecting the environment, a UN food agency has said today. Hosny El-Lakany, of the Rome-based UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), said that forestry needed to be fully integrated with other sectors in policy development, particularly agriculture.
Forests have key role in fight against poverty and pollution: UN
Forests and similar natural habitats have a key role to play in alleviating poverty and protecting the environment, a UN food agency has said today. Hosny El-Lakany, of the Rome-based UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), said that forestry needed to be fully integrated with other sectors in policy development, particularly agriculture.
18 November 2008
Benn's £2m Boost For Nature Conservation
Plans to boost the number of people who volunteer to help protect England's nature and wildlife were unveiled today by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn.
Benn's £2m Boost For Nature Conservation
Plans to boost the number of people who volunteer to help protect England's nature and wildlife were unveiled today by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
