GR: Since politicians can’t oppose profit-making in any industry, leadership must come from other sectors of society. The actor and comedian Ricky Gervais has earned our gratitude.
- theguardian.com, Thursday 10 July 2014 06.42 EDT
“Ricky Gervais has asked people to hand in wildlife products they may have at home, such as ivory carvings, to help tackle the illegal wildlife trade.
“The comedian’s call is in support of a drive by the Metropolitan police to encourage Londoners to donate unwanted wildlife items such as rhino horn and big cat furs, in a move the force’s wildlife crime unit believes will raise awareness of the problem.
“The illegal wildlife trade has been estimated at being worth $7-23bn annually, leading to over 20,000 African elephants being killed by poachers each year and the number of rhinos killed in South Africa in 2013 jumping by 50% on the year before.
“Officials of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species are meeting in Geneva this week to discuss plans to stem the illegal wildlife trade. In February, 46 countries met in London and signed a declaration to tackle the trade.
By: Adam Vaughan
