CONTACT:

IN GENEVA: MARY DIXON +1 347 840 1242; mdixon@wcs.org

IN NEW YORK: STEPHEN SAUTNER: +1 718-220-3682, M: +1 908 247 2585; ssautner@wcs.org

To receive text alerts about WCS breaking news, email ssautner@wcs.org. You can opt out at any time.

Geneva, Aug. 22, 2019 – The following was released today by the Wildlife Conservation Society from CITES CoP18 concerning elephants and ivory:

 Said Dr. Susan Lieberman, VP of International Policy for the Wildlife Conservation Society:

“The decisions today by the Parties at CITES CoP18 mean it’s status quo for elephants: No international commercial ivory trade is permitted and that is what needs to happen. CITES Parties agreed not to open any ivory trade, and to further call on governments to close their domestic ivory markets.

“At the end of the day and after all the debates: It’s about ivory trade. We thank the CITES CoP18 Parties for not weakening their policies concerning elephant ivory. All Ivory trade must end if the African elephant is to recover.”

###

For WCS positions and for great background on the four elephant proposals go here.

See Pages 11-14.

To get in touch with Dr. Lieberman in Geneva or via Skype, contact Mary Dixon at mdixon@wcs.org or +1 347-840-1242. On What’s APP and on Skype at mary.dixon111

###