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AWF Lauds China for Officially Closing its Domestic Ivory Market
- 01/03/18
The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) commends China for the implementation of the domestic ivory ban. China has made good on the commitment it made to the African Union and the African States during the 2015 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit to work with Africa in curbing elephant poaching and illegal trade in wildlife products.
African Wildlife Foundation Calls for Transparency Regarding Importation of Elephant and Lion Trophies
- 11/20/17
- Washington, D.C.
The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is tentatively encouraged by developments over the weekend regarding the importation of elephant and lion hunting trophies. President Trump’s statements show that he is listening to the public outcry on this issue. We await President Trump’s final decision, which he indicated would be announced this week.
Donald Trump Appears to Back Down on Trophy Hunting
- 11/17/17
- Washington, D.C.
In a Tweet the evening of November 17th, U.S. President Donald Trump appears to have bowed to pressure from the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and the global conservation community, stating: “Put big game trophy decision on hold until such time as I review all conservation facts. Under study for years. Will update soon with Secretary Zinke.”
AWF Statement About US Government’s Recent Decision on Trophy Hunting
- 11/16/17
- Washington, D.C.
The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) confirmed that it intends to lift the ban on importation of elephant and lion trophies from Zambia and Zimbabwe. While the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) acknowledges that well-managed hunting can play a role in financing conservation, we are opposed to the hunting of elephants, lions, and rhinos due to the ongoing poaching crisis and plummeting population numbers. Africa’s elephant population has declined by 30 percent in seven years, and according to the IUCN Red List there could be as few as 20,000 lions.
AWF Statement on Secretary Zinke’s proposed International Wildlife Conservation Council
- 11/15/17
- Washington, D.C.
Last Wednesday, November 8, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the establishment of the International Wildlife Conservation Council (IWCC). Whereas the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) would typically applaud such an effort by the U.S. government, the mandate and proposed membership of the IWCC shows that this council will be focused on promoting the hunting industry, not conservation.