Bill Description:
The ‘Elephant Ivory and Rhinoceros Horns Trafficking Prohibition Act of 2015’ would restrict the import, sale, offer for sale, purchase, barter, or possession (with intent to sell) of ivory and rhinoceros horns in the District. There are certain exceptions regarding antiques, musical instruments, and research materials.[teaserbreak]
Background:
Between 2007 and 2013, one tusk, six ivory carvings, and 52 pianos with ivory keys were seized in Baltimore. In addition, three tusks, 17 pieces of ivory jewelry, and six ivory carvings were seized in Dulles International Airport between 2007 and 2012. Unfortunately, these seizures are only a snapshot of the total amount of ivory coming into the District because much more is smuggled past law enforcement than is seized.
The U.S. is a significant global marketplace for wildlife parts, with New York, California, and Hawaii being the country’s largest markets for ivory. Illegal trafficking of these wildlife products is directly responsible for shocking declines in wild populations in recent years, and this bill is a crucial step toward reducing the target market in the U.S.
Read more about the devastating poaching crisis here.
Read our press release applauding the bill’s introduction here.
Read the full text and follow its progress here.