FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GIVING ELEPHANTS A VOICE ON WORLD ELEPHANT DAY

August 7, 2018 – Vancouver, BC – With World Elephant Day fast approaching, Elephanatics, an elephant advocacy organization in Vancouver, wants to stomp out legislation that still allows elephant ivory to be sold within Canada. August 12 is World Elephant Day and they state there is no better way to celebrate the world’s largest land animal than by asking the Canadian Government to close the legal domestic trade in elephant ivory.

“Each year over 20,000 elephants are killed for their ivory. By banning the trade of elephant ivory in Canada we are saying no to poaching, which is the largest threat to this species right now”, says Fran Duthie, president of Elephanatics. “The #ivoryfreecampaign aims to put pressure on the government to change legislation. The best way to do that is through the voices and support of fellow Canadians.”

Elephanatics currently has a petition available at elephanatics.org urging the government to ban the trade in elephant ivory in order to help change the fate of thousands of elephants each year. Tessa Vanderkop, advocacy director for Elephanatics says, “The United Kingdom was one of the biggest hubs for ivory sales and has enforced some of the toughest legislation to ban ivory. It’s time for Canada to step up to the plate and do the right thing.”

On March 14, Elephanatics sent a letter to Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, asking the federal government to close the domestic trade of elephant ivory in

Canada. The letter was backed by 95 national and international signatories including International Fund for Animal Welfare, Humane Society International, Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, The Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, Big Life Foundation, Wildlife Direct and Dr. Richard Leakey.

Although elephants do not live in Canada’s backyard, Canadian people can prevent the looming extinction of these iconic creatures by signing the petition. Over 192,000 people have already signed to end this cruel trade. Elephanatics is determined to reach 200,000 signatures by World Elephant Day on August 12. They hope to attract the eyes and hearts of the federal government to create an elephant ivory-free Canada. To help them reach their goal, the public can sign and share the petition.

Elephanatics

Elephanatics is a Vancouver-based elephant advocacy organization that promotes the long-term survival of African and Asian elephants through conservation, education and action.

Media Contact

Tessa Vanderkop – Director of Advocacy 604-789-8886 elephanaticsinfo@gmail.com