Obama Announces Rules to Protect Endangered Elephants

WASHINGTON, DC (July 25, 2015) — President Obama today announced important new regulations on elephant ivory that would further restrict interstate sales. If finalized, these important new regulations would place a near-total ban on domestic ivory sales, imports, and exports of African elephant ivory.

More than 100,000 elephants were killed by poachers between 2010 and 2012, leading some scientists to predict that African forest elephants could be extinct within the decade. The United States is a significant market for ivory.

President Obama is currently in Kenya for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.

Following is a statement by NRDC President Rhea Suh:

“The truth of the matter is that the United States plays a very real role in the slaughter of African elephants. Our trade and import of ivory is part of the demand that is driving the near-extermination of this species.  That’s why our country needs to do everything in its power to protect these endangered and iconic animals.

“Restricting sales and helping to reduce demand is a critical part of the solution. Though we still have plenty of work to do to protect elephants for good, these new regulations take us one step closer.”