African countries banned from selling baby elephants

A baby elephant in Africa [Photo: World Animal Protection]

Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered (CITE) Species have met in Geneva where they decided to tighten the rules on taking elephants from the wild and selling them.

This means four African countries, namely Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa and Namibia, are now prohibited from seizing and exporting wild African elephants to overseas zoos, circuses and other entertainment venues.

Kate Nustedt, Director of Wildlife at World Animal Protection, said this is a landmark decision from CITE. She says the ruling will change the lives of many baby elephants in Africa, which are being treated cruelly and used for tourist rides and shows.

Statistics show at least 550,000 of wildlife animals are suffering from being used for entertainment.