Ivory, Getting across the border.

brownshoe, Kevin and Keith . . . I'm assuming you guys are vegetarians right? Because if you eat beef, or hamburgers chances are it is sourced from grazing areas created by felling South American forests, which is leading to the extinction of many, many more species every year . . . :)

P.S. . . . Can any of you folks explain to me why ostrich eggs are banned in Canada and the USA? Your airport customs guys promise a $10 000 fine if a passenger is caught with an ostrich egg ornament. For heavens sake, they're farmed in their 100's of thousands across the US, Eastern Europe, Australia and Africa.
 
Per the BBC recent coverage, elephant poaching is on the increase due to political instability. Increase means that out of 8000 in one herd, poaching increased from about 80 to 300 a year. In the past year, two park rangers have been killed by poachers. They poach purely for the tusk, the hides and meat are left to rot.

Mr. Hilton, in no way am I a vegetarian, but for many reasons I would never eat South African beef. My beef comes from the midwest US, mostly KS, MO, TX, AK, IA, NB. But beef is not as good as bison, which I eat twice a week, prairie grazed, get it from the rancher. My chicken comes from AK and my pork from MO, IA, or AK. The only non-American meat I eat is an occasional New Zealand lamb product, basically becuase it's a lot more available than US lamb.
 
HiltonP said:
brownshoe, Kevin and Keith . . . I'm assuming you guys are vegetarians right? Because if you eat beef, or hamburgers chances are it is sourced from grazing areas created by felling South American forests, which is leading to the extinction of many, many more species every year . . . :)
Click to expand...

Yeah, and grain and vegetables are usually grown with chemical fertilizers and pesticides that leach into the ground water ending up in the rivers, lakes, seas and oceans of the world. This kills fish and can cause the death of animals that drink the water, eat the fish, or eat other animals that have eaten the fish or drunk the water. Neither that nor the fact that cattle being raised in South America is causing the loss of many species has anything to do with the killing of elephants for their ivory. I have nothing against the sale of ivory from culled elephants, but firmly believe that poachers should be severely punished. I feel the same about the poaching of any animals.

I checked the internet and found that many companies within Canada import and sell carved and decorated ostrich eggs exported from Africa and from the US. You can also purchase eggs directly from the ostrich ranchers here in Canada. There are also companies in the US that will sell and ship carved ostrich eggs directly to a Canadian customer.
 
Keith . . . then why at US and Canadian airports are there warning signs up about the carrying of ostrich eggs into, or out of, the country?

As for the elephants . . . hmmm . . . I've never understood why it is deemed OK to shoot the hell out of antelope, the big cats, etc for their skins, but don't shoot elephants for their ivory?

I know you probably get a different view from your side of the pond, but here in Africa the enjoyment of our big game has become the pleasure of only the super-rich. In SA (by far the wealthiest country in SSA) probably less than 3% of the population can afford to visit a game park, let alone stay in one. How can one develop a sense of pride in one's wildlife heritage if it is so far away from reality. The so-called preservation of wildlife (as it is currently being managed) is taking the game away from the general population. There is no sense of "ownership". It's just a commodity to sell to tourists. This is not good for long-term sustainability. The kids of today have no "feel" for their game heritage because it has become the domain of the elite.
 
I don't think it alright to shoot an antelope for its horns or a lion for its skin. Some people do, but I'm not one of them. I would rather shoot them with a camera.

I have never seen one of those signs at a Canadian airport, but then again, I have never looked for one. I do know though that there are many places in Canada that somecan purchase carved or decorated ostrich eggs that come from Africa.

As far as importing a knife into Canada with ivory handles is concerned, I would only do so with the proper CITES documentation. The ethics of killing elephants has nothing to do with it though. I just don't like the idea of having my knife confiscated and possibly being fined.
 
gotta pair small (18+ inches) elephant tusks.....been in country 100 years....not cut ...just small tusks..........would sell.....any interest??? probly need ideas on fair price
aax1 at bellsouth dot net
 
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