OWN CORRESPONDENT, Harare | Tuesday 10.00pm.
FOLLOWING Friday’s sale of 20 tons of Namibian ivory, the first legal ivory auction in a decade, Zimbabwe has followed suit, selling 20 tons to Japanese buyers on Tuesday in Harare.
Willas Makombe, director of the Zimbabwean National Parks and Wildlife Management, said that the parks authorities were satisfied with the outcome of the auction, where all lots were sold.
He would not release the prices for which the ivory went, as Botswana, a neighbour to both Namibia and Zimbabwe, is to hold an auction of its own shortly. Bids were expected to range anywhere between $200 and $500 a kilogram.
Makombe said the auction will further in Zimbabwe and elsewhere the idea that natural resources can and should be used sustainably to help the people.
”A significant amount of funds has been provided through the auction to the conservation programs in Zimbabwe not just for the conservation of the African elephant, but to the whole infrastructure of conservation efforts in Zimbabwe,” said Jim Armstrong, deputy secretary-general of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
According to conditions set by Cites, Japan will not be allowed to re-export the ivory purchased.
Botswana will auction up to 20 tons of ivory to Japanese buyers on Friday, it was reported on Tuesday.
The same group of Japanese buyers are expected to attend.
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