Oct. 4 march speaks up against elephant poaching

Sudburians will join hundreds of people holding Global March for Elephants and Rhinos events around the world Oct. 4.

The local event starts at 12 p.m. in Memorial Park.

In Africa, four elephants are illegally killed for their ivory every hour, and estimates are that between only 250,000 to 400,000 survive today.

Illegally killed for their horn, it is estimated that less than 22,000 African rhinos now remain. As for lions, more survive now in captivity, where they are bred to be shot by hunters, than roam in the wild.

“Individuals, and society as a whole, can choose to shun ivory, rhino horn, lion and tiger bones as commodities,” said event organizers.

“We need governments to play their part too, by increasing penalties for bribery, corruption and trafficking offences, and by shutting down all retail outlets and ivory carving factories.”

The Global March will also call on governments to publicly destroy their stockpiles of illegal wildlife products, to show zero tolerance for illegal trading.

For more information, visit www.March4ElephantsAndRhinos.org.