* * * PRESS RELEASE * * * wildliferisk.org/press-release/WildLifeRisk+HKHEC-RhinoHornMuseumProtest-PRESSRELEASE-20140704.pdf ATTENTION ALL NEWS EDITORS FRIDAY 4 JULY 2014 [FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE] HONG KONG Media contact (Chinese): Rosana Ng +852 9466 4466 Media contact (English): Alex Hofford +852 9635 7214 GET RHINO HORN OUT OF HONG KONG MUSEUMS WHEN? 10:30am Sunday 6 July 2014 WHERE? Hong Kong Museum of Art, by Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Activities: Kids rhinos drawing workshop, and letter handover to Hong Kong Museum of Art staff FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: https://facebook/events/1451701598414038/ (Hong Kongs first ever rhino protest!) HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Museum of Art is currently hosting an exhibition of so-called artworks featuring ivory and rhino horn. In light of the Hong Kong governments confiscated ivory stockpile destruction, as well as other positive developments on the ivory issue in Hong Kong, we believe that this is the wrong message for the government to be sending out at this critical moment for the survival of African wildlife. The fact that this exhibition is running at all suggests that the Hong Kong Government Environment Bureaus AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department) is not communicating effectively with the Home Affairs Bureaus LCSD (Leisure & Cultural Services Department) on the need for more public education and awareness raising on the issue of endangered species protection. The LCSD operates the Hong Kong Museum of Art, and appears to not be aware of the wider conservation issues that threaten global biodiversity. Therefore, in order to help and support the Hong Kong government AFCD in their efforts to protect endangered species, we are calling on the LCSD to remove all rhino horn from government venues with immediate effect. As a coalition of grass-roots NGOs working on the ivory issue in Hong Kong, we believe that the exhibition of rhino horns directly counteracts our conservation efforts to date. It is difficult enough to raise awareness on the poaching crisis in Africa without this exhibition putting out false notions of beauty and art. Behind every piece of carved ivory or rhino horn there is a dead elephant or a dead rhino. We believe it is extremely hazardous to the last remaining populations of rhinos in Africa that tourists from all over the world, including many from mainland China, will pass through the exhibition and leave with the subliminal message that the possession of ivory and rhino horn is something to aspire to. This is sure to drive up the price of market rhino horn (and ivory), thereby increasing rhino poaching rates in Africa and Asia. The exhibition runs until 28 September 2014. Statistics released on Monday by the South African Department of Environmental Affairs showed that at least 496 rhinos have been butchered for their horns in the first six months of this year, suggesting that the year-end death toll will rise above the record level of more than 1,000 rhinos killed last year. A link is emerging between museum displays which help fuel demand by legitimizing such objects made from rhino horn in the eyes of potential buyers. Criminal networks are supplying this demand and view such exhibitions as ideal marketing material. There was case recently in the United States where trade in rhino horns was being fueled by the demand for libation cups. This report on the United States Department of Justice website gives the background to the international racket, including a Hong Kong link: Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Rhino and Ivory Smuggling Conspiracy justice.gov/opa/pr/2014/June/14-enrd-666.html Finally, it should be noted that a CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Secretariat progress report dated 13 June 2014 on Hong Kongs National Ivory Action Plan (NIAP) criticized the Hong Kong governments efforts on public education and awareness raising on the protection of endangered species as not having specified any actions. (cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/com/sc/65/E-SC65-42-02_1.pdf) From Hong Kong Museum of Art website:- * * Ming and Qing Chinese Arts from the C. P. Lin Collection * * This exhibition showcases 270 Ming and Qing dynasty artworks from the C. P. Lin Collection, featuring precious objects made exclusively for the imperial court - exquisite porcelains, rare jades, intricately carved RHINOCEROS HORNS, IVORIES and bamboo objets dart, iridescent painted enamels and glass. lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Arts/en_US/web/ma/exhibition.html#04 info.gov.hk/gia/general/201405/02/P201404300746.htm We are proud to be supported locally by; Hong Kong for Elephants, AquaMeridien, Animals Asia and Animal-Friendly Alliance. We are proud to be supported internationally by; WildAid, Humane Society International (HSI), International Fund For Animal Welfare (IFAW), Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), Born Free, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and ProWildlife.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Jul 2014 07:25:53 +0000
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