Our Wild World

Despite the big win for elephants at CITES in August: No more trade in live elephants outside of Africa; a loophole the size of Zimbabwe and China opened due to the critical caveat the EU added as a condition to supporting the ruling - “unless in an emergency or exceptional case” – allowing for the most recent sale and shipment of 32 baby elephants from Zimbabwe to China, for lives in captivity in “inappropriate destinations” as entertainment in super-sized theme parks. Meanwhile, why did the CITES Secretary-General take a publicly partisan response to this violation? With my guest Adam Cruise, internationally renowned journalist and editor of Journal of African Elephants, along with host Eli Weiss, who have been reporting on this issue since 2011, we break down what’s still happening to elephants and how to light the fire of change. We may not be able to repatriate the Zim Eles, but we can ensure that the price of development doesn’t fall squarely on the backs of elephants.