Leo DiCaprio Takes On Poachers to End Elephant Slaughter
Oh, Leo, always doing and looking good. On Monday actor/activist Leonardo DiCaprio announced Elephants, Never Forget, a new International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) initiative that he's spearheading as the global ambassador. The program aims to raise awareness of the active ivory trade and its ravaging effects on the dwindling elephant population. Although the ivory trade was banned over 20 years ago, overwhelming numbers of elephants are still slaughtered for their tusks.
“In the past century, the number of elephants in the wild has declined by 50 per cent. Their disappearance could devastate ecosystems and have a lasting impact on the biodiversity of our planet. I hope this program will inspire and empower you to help protect elephants worldwide," said DiCaprio, as posted on the IFAW website.
DiCaprio stated in a release that "the ivory trade fuels conflict and strife," reports Mother Nature Network. "Elephants are killed by poachers so their tusks can be traded for weapons and drugs by international criminal organizations before becoming trinkets and jewelry for consumers," he said. The 36-year-old star also noted numbers in the statement, adding that "authorities in 85 countries have seized almost 400 tons of ivory on the black market since the 1989 ivory trade ban."
The IFAW believes that the biggest issue plaguing the elephant population decline is awareness. A poll conducted by the organization revealed that a large percentage of people do not know that elephants must be killed before their tusks are removed.
"We are honored to have Leonardo's support for our Animal Action campaign to stem the ivory trade," said IFAW President and CEO Fred O'Regan. "With his help, we hope to create a groundswell for elephant protection that can't be ignored."
