/ 8 November 1999

GOVT WANTS TO ‘DOWNLIST’ ELEPHANT

THE Department of Tourism and Environmental Affairs said on Sunday that it wants to sell its ivory stockpile worth some R25-million. It said the money will be used for elephant preservation. The department intends putting forward the proposal at the 11th Conference of the International Trade in Endagered Species. Environmental Affairs Minister Vallie Moosa said according to the proposal, trade will be limited to 30 tons of government owned whole tusks.