My latest investigation with photographer Brent Stirton appears in the October 2016 issue of National Geographic. You can catch an advance view here on NationalGeographic.com. … [Read more...]
Philippines Ivory Crush: Call to the United States
Friday, June 21, the Philippines became the first country outside of Africa to destroy ivory seized by its law enforcement. I wrote about it for National Geographic here: In Global First, Philippines to Destroy its Ivory Stock and here: Pulling Teeth. The United States … [Read more...]
My Story on Ivory Policing and China on National Geographic’s Voice for Elephants
I have a new story up on A Voice for Elephants at National Geographic.com. It begins like this: Chinese media reported last week that China has convicted a major ivory seller in Fujian and his accomplices for their role in an international ivory trafficking scheme that smuggled … [Read more...]
ABSCAM: An Oldie But a Goodie for Wildlife Watchers to Relax By
Lot's of people are writing me depressed about the state of affairs for wildlife in Africa, especially after CITES COP16. I don't know about you but when I get down about widespread incompetence, lack of political will, and detective work any elementary school kid with a MacBook … [Read more...]
CITES’ Ivory Trade Policy is on Drugs
By far the most dangerous threat now facing the African elephant is not poachers or Chinese ivory carvers, it is CITES' rulemaking. CITES is indispensible to the protection of wildife around the world, but for elephants the high dollar values, insignicant enforcement, and … [Read more...]