The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today a global design challenge to raise awareness of wildlife trafficking and to help reduce demand for elephant ivory and other illegal wildlife products. This design challenge seeks creative ideas on how to best use the six tons of ivory that was seized as a result of law enforcement investigations and at U.S. ports. The crushing of the six tons of ivory in November 2013 sent a clear message that the United States will not tolerate ivory trafficking and the devastating impact it is having on elephant populations, particularly in Africa where 96 elephants are killed every day. This announcement was made at the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Conference in Orlando, FL, to over 3,000 conference delegates. Submissions should be a design that is compelling, thought provoking and can be used as an information tool to raise awareness and educate the public about the illegal elephant ivory trade thereby reducing the demand for ivory. A panel of experts will review all entries that meet the competition requirements. Using the six tons of ivory, the winning design will be replicated and placed on display in zoos, aquariums, schools, libraries airports and other public facilities. Together AZA accredited zoos and aquariums reach more than 180 million visitors and are committed to a sustained effort to stop the demand for ivory. More information on this ivory design challenge can be found at fws.gov/ivorychallenge. Randy Wisthoff, Kansas City Zoo’s CEO/Executive Director, was proud to be one of many zoo and aquarium CEOs in attendance during the national announcement.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 21:25:12 +0000
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