New crack down on ivory poaching

June 14, 2007

Conservation groups have applauded an extended ban of ivory agreed at international convention on endangered species. The deal was approved by the 171-nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting in The Hague. CITES backed an African plan to crack down on poaching while allowing Botswana, Namibia, South African and Zimbabwe - who say their elephant numbers are rising - to make one-off ivory sales.