By: Diah R. Sulistiowati

WWF-Indonesia welcomes the US government's initiative to destroy six tons of ivory from African and Asian elephants on November 14, 2013. The tusks, either in the form of whole tusks, or in the form of jewelry, decorations, souvenirs and others, were confiscated at the US border, which entered illegally. The ivory destruction was held at Rocky Mountain National Park in Denver, Colorado, and was witnessed by the media, congressional delegates, several federal government representatives and others.

In 2012 alone, more than 30,000 individual elephants in the world were slaughtered for their ivory. The U.S. Government's efforts set a good example for the "war" on protected wildlife crimes including the ivory trade in African and Asian elephants. WWF-Indonesia welcomes the US Government's action. "It is very important for developed countries to cut off the demand for ivory. This action is very significant to reduce poaching pressure on the world's Elephant population, including Sumatran elephants in Indonesia", said Nazir Foead, Director of Conservation WWF-Indonesia.

In the last 25 years the Sumatran Elephant population in Indonesia has shrunk by more than half. The estimated population in 2007 was between 2400-2800 individuals, but is now estimated to have declined far from this figure due to habitat shrinkage and ongoing poaching.

The destruction of 6 tons of ivory is a serious step by the Obama Administration against wildlife crime. Evidently, the war on wildlife trafficking is not only the concern of the department in charge of wildlife, but also involves all relevant departments such as justice, finance, intelligence and others.

Currently, WWF's U.S. office is in the process of assisting the U.S. Congress to revise regulations on animal crimes. The US government is also ready to cooperate with countries of origin of confiscated wildlife to act against animal crimes.