Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 24th January 2014
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Hong Kong to destroy 28 tonnes of ivory
Image ivory incineration
The decision to incinerate 28 tonnes of ivory has been welcomed by conservation charities.

Conservationists rejoice at major stockpile burn

Hong Kong will destroy 28 tonnes of its seized ivory stockpile, it was announced yesterday (January 23) by the Endangered Species Advisory Committee (ESAC).

After a four-hour closed meeting with Hong Kong Government officials, the ESAC agreed unanimously to incinerate the stock of ivory. A few tonnes will be retained for use in education.

Welcoming the move, the Born Free Foundation said it could not have come at a better time, with an estimated 50,000 elephants poached for their ivory in 2013.

Will Travers OBE, CEO of the foundation, stressed the importance of the news: "It’s massive. The biggest destruction of illegal ivory stocks in history.

"Even a year ago, to think that China and Hong Kong would take such decisive action would have been fantasy. Are they now set to become truly global leaders in the fight against the ivory trade and poaching?"

The charity estimates Hong Kong's total stockpile at 33 tonnes, having recorded the seizure of at least 14.2 tonnes by law-enforcement agencies over the past two years alone.

Governments now need to go "the extra mile", according to Mr Travers, by supporting Africa's conservationists and rangers to ensure they get the necessary training and equipment to protect elephants from poaching.

Image courtesy of Born Free Foundation.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.