THUMBS UP: US Embassy Hails Malawi For Burning Ivory

By Lackson Kanyoza

The United States Embassy has congratulated Malawi government for destroying 2.6 tons of ivory.

A large pile of ivory and elephant tusks were burnt to ashes yesterday in Mzuzu District.

U.S Embassy applauded Malawi government through its Facebook page posted yesterday which says, “Congratulations to Malawi on the destruction of 2.6 tonnes of ivory, sending a clear message that Malawi will not tolerate illegal wildlife trade. African elephants population have declined by 20% in the last decade to just over 400, 000.  They numbered as high as ten million in 1900. The U.S. Government has destroyed approximately 7 tons of ivory in the past three years.” Reads the post

Several illegal stockpiles have been destroyed in recent times, a powerful indication demonstrating that as a country, Malawi will not tolerate wildlife crime.

The destruction ensures that stockpiles of seized ivory will never again be sold and affirms the end of this senseless act of poaching in the country.

In September last year, the Tanzania blocked the Malawian government from burning the said ivory saying it needed the tusks as evidence for the prosecution of suspected poachers.

Nearly 800 tusks were intercepted by custom officials as they were being smuggled into Malawi from Tanzania.

The court further slapped two Malawians with $5,500 fines for their part in trafficking the ivory and ordered it be burned within 20 days.

The function was attended by officials from Malawi Police Service and Wildlife and National Parks.