Elephant alert: Power of petitioning

A good cause can often be seen to be an even better one when it attracts the support of the stars of stage and screen, especially those for whom a day not spent publicising a campaign or signing a petition is a day squandered.

Elephant alert: Power of petitioning

A good cause can often be seen to be an even better one when it attracts the support of the stars of stage and screen, especially those for whom a day not spent publicising a campaign or signing a petition is a day squandered.

But the intervention by the likes of Brigitte Bardot, Joanna Lumley, Judi Dench, Pamela Anderson, and Ricky Gervais in an international argument about the fate of baby African elephants is to be welcomed.

They have spoken out in protest against the European Union’s decision to block a proposed United Nations ban on the export of these wild animals to zoos and circuses in other parts of the world, chiefly China.

The proposed ban is supported by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and, significantly, the governments of African elephant-range nations.

There is no shortage of evidence depicting the way in which calves are snatched from their habitats and their suffering when in captivity. Acting collectively as a bloc, however, the governments of EU states have concluded that this trade is acceptable. It is not; it is repellant.

more courts articles

Newcastle United co-owner faces paying £3.4m to Greek businessman Newcastle United co-owner faces paying £3.4m to Greek businessman
Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van

More in this section

Brexit Irish Examiner View: Concerted effort needed to revive sales of electric cars
Princess of Wales cancer announcement Irish Examiner view: Dabbling into other people’s souls
Mike Lynch court case Irish Examiner view: Tech industry’s trial of the century
Lunchtime News
Newsletter

Keep up with the stories of the day with our lunchtime news wrap.

Sign up
Revoiced
Newsletter

Sign up to the best reads of the week from irishexaminer.com selected just for you.

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited