Global transporters team up against illegal wildlife trade

About 35 000 elephants are killed each year to support the illegal trade in ivory.

Global transport, logistics and conservation organisations have banded together to tackle illegal wildlife trade – an industry that is estimated to be worth US$19 billion.

The United for Wildlife transport taskforce has agreed on measures to combat illegal wildlife trade. These include the sharing of information, adopting practical measures to stop the transportation of illegal wildlife products, and a common determination to tackle the illegal trade, according to online magazine Supply Management.

“We all need to work together to tackle the issue and only by partnership can we succeed for the long term. Promoting greater awareness and vigilance within the maritime sector, port operators, customs organisations, customers and suppliers, and encouraging greater cooperation is key,” DP World chairman, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, was quoted by Supply Management as saying.

Other members of the task force include the International Air Transport Association (Iata), Emirates Airlines, Kenya Airways, Maersk, COSCO Container Lines, DHL and the World Customs Organisation.

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