Malawi: Court asked to extend deadline to burn ivory stockpiles

Author(s)

StarAfrica

Date Published
The Department of National Parks and Wildlife in Malawi has applied to the country’s High Court to extend the period for burning a stockpile of ivory from 20 days to 60 days.The High Court in northern city of Mzuzu ordered the government to burn over 700 pieces of ivory publicly within a period of 20 days.
 
However, the director for National Parks and Wildlife, Brighton Kumchedwa said the period has to be extended because there are a lot of issues like giving each ivory a serial number which needs to be done before the actual burning.
 
“We need to properly audit them and give them serial numbers as stipulated by the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in which Malawi is a signatory,” he said.
 
He said, the department believes that the game trophies were originated from neighbouring Mozambique and Tanzania, countries which should be informed because they are from where the ivories originate.
 
Meanwhile, he said, the department is anxiously waiting for the 2.6 tones of ivory which are still in the hands of the courts.
 

http://en.starafrica.com/news/malawi-court-asked-to-extend-deadline-to-burn-ivory-stockpiles.html