By passing the 1401 measure on November 3rd 2014, Washington state (WA), joins New York, New Jersey and California which previously passed similar measures prohibiting the trade of ivory from elephant and rhinos. The WA measure goes beyond ivory by also banning the trade of parts sourced from other endangered animals. Wild cats such as lions, leopards and cheetahs. Other endangered land animals covered by the measure are the scaly ant eaters known as pangolins. Some aquatic species are also included in this measure. Among these are marine turtles (hunted for their shells, e.g., carey a material similar to ivory), as well sharks and rays. The passing of the measure was celebrated by environmentalist including The Wildlife Federation who stated in a tweet:
National Wildlife @NWF
The measure affects the sales, exchange (trade or barter), and commercialization of ivory less than 100 years old. Some exceptions were made for items such as musical instruments that may contain low amounts of ivory. These restrictions caused the opposition of antique dealers and other animal product dealers. They argue that the measure is unfair, in part because their items were acquired before the measure. In addition, the opposing viewers argue that the funds used for lobbying and advertise the measure could be used at the source of the problem, to defeat poachers.
The passing of the measure involved large contributions by microsoft co-founder Mr. Paul Allen ($2M), and many other donors. Mr. Allen has long advocated for wildlife in Africa. Yet, he along with advocates for the measure consider that changing trading laws in the USA, state by state would help to decrease poaching elsewhere, by decreasing the demand for the ivory or desired product. More about the campaign that lead to the passing of the banning on ivory and parts from other endangered animals (1401 measure) can be seen at the campaign site http://saveanimalsfacingextinction.org
“Every day, endangered species like elephants and rhinos are slaughtered to fuel a lucrative trade in unnecessary products made of ivory or horn. We must attack the economic incentives associated with trafficking wildlife products and give law enforcement the tools needed to shut down the networks that contribute to this criminal activity. We all have a responsibility to protect endangered animals, and Washington State can serve as a model to lead the way in disrupting the market for these products. If we turn away from our responsibility to protect our planet, these species will become extinct.” Philantropist Paul G. Allen (endorsement for the campaign, save animalsfacingextinction.org)
He also tweeted:
National Wildlife
Thanks to friends of #wildlife in WA voting #YesOn1401, the fight against extinction has scored a big win: http://bit.ly/1RVt7xD
The measure affects the sales, exchange (trade or barter), and commercialization of ivory less than 100 years old. Some exceptions were made for items such as musical instruments that may contain low amounts of ivory. These restrictions caused the opposition of antique dealers and other animal product dealers. They argue that the measure is unfair, in part because their items were acquired before the measure. In addition, the opposing viewers argue that the funds used for lobbying and advertise the measure could be used at the source of the problem, to defeat poachers.
The passing of the measure involved large contributions by microsoft co-founder Mr. Paul Allen ($2M), and many other donors. Mr. Allen has long advocated for wildlife in Africa. Yet, he along with advocates for the measure consider that changing trading laws in the USA, state by state would help to decrease poaching elsewhere, by decreasing the demand for the ivory or desired product. More about the campaign that lead to the passing of the banning on ivory and parts from other endangered animals (1401 measure) can be seen at the campaign site http://saveanimalsfacingextinction.org
“Every day, endangered species like elephants and rhinos are slaughtered to fuel a lucrative trade in unnecessary products made of ivory or horn. We must attack the economic incentives associated with trafficking wildlife products and give law enforcement the tools needed to shut down the networks that contribute to this criminal activity. We all have a responsibility to protect endangered animals, and Washington State can serve as a model to lead the way in disrupting the market for these products. If we turn away from our responsibility to protect our planet, these species will become extinct.” Philantropist Paul G. Allen (endorsement for the campaign, save animalsfacingextinction.org)
He also tweeted:
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Great victory passing
@Yeson1401! A strong message to the country--we can save endangered animals a world away http://saveanimalsfacingextinction.orgSeveral media sources pointed out the problem of enforcement of this type of measure due to the lack of resources by the wildlife protection agencies. While this is certainly a constraint, the existence of regulations are known to decrease the activities. On the other hand, the trade may now just move to the states that do not regulate or restrict the commercialization of ivory or other banned products. This is why ultimately to effectively target the global trade of endangered species, these measures need to be passed in all the states within the US (a major source of buyers), and by many other countries. The trade of endangered species is regulated by international agreements but again local enforcement and regulations lack behind. Another downside of the measure is that it may increase the prices as the trade goes underground. Poachers being prosecuted and underground traders may elevate the prices due to the risk of their operation on the shadow of the laws.Animal trade is an ancient human activity that require a change in perspective, the human perspective. We need to allow the other species to live without being hunted and killed in cruel ways to obtain products such as artifacts and potions. While the pre-historic human may have great need for animal products in order to survive, what we have now is a persistent lack of caring for the right of other living creatures. Because of these utilitarian views and our entitlement as a dominant species, we have grown to belief that we have the rights over the use of the earth and all its living creatures in ways that are not necessarily conducive to their survival or our survival as a species.Ecologically, these animals play a role in nutrient cycling, the food chain, the control of pest and other roles we may not even know yet (most of these rare species are not sufficiently studied). Image if a butterfly flapping its wings could induce change elsewhere - the butterfly effect--what does the movement of massive animals such as elephants may do in the larger content? Lets stop and re-think our ways. We should not need laws to know what is right and what is not?In addition to passing the laws I hope groups like save animals from extinction, continue to work on education campaigns. Today there is a great need to bring people close to nature in all possible ways. People need to see the beauty of these living creatures in their habitats in order to understand their rights to live and thrive as we do.To learn more about the effect of traffic on endangered populations:
Paul Allen
