already in International media: ZANZIBAR POLICE SEIZE 40-foot CONTAINER OF IVORY Police in the semi-autonomous Indian Ocean island of #Zanzibar on Wednesday said they had seized a 40-foot (12-metre) container hiding an estimated several tonnes worth of #ivory. The seizure comes as authorities in #Tanzania crack down on #poaching amid a surge of killings of #elephant and #rhino in the east African nation. This is unacceptable, we must end this problem, said Tanzanian Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Khamis Kagasheki, who traveled to Zanzibar after the seizure. This is serious, let us join forces to save our natural resources, said the minister as police officers searched the container. It was not clear where the container was destined for. Police estimated that several tonnes of ivory were stashed in the container but said they would only be able to give the exact weight of the tusks, as well as the origin and destination of the ivory, once they finished unpacking it. Kagasheki warned that if authorities were unable to find the owner, the agents who cleared the container on its arrival in Zanzibars main port would be held accountable. How did ivory manage to be transported to Zanzibar for reshipment? Kagasheki said. #1every15 #SaveElephants #StopIvoryTrade #sayNOtoPOACHING #sayNOtoIVORY #iWorry
Posted on: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 08:26:49 +0000