This film reveals the threats posed to both people and animals by the potential renewal of an international ivory trade, and illustrates the financial benefits that rural communities are gaining from sustainable, wildlife-based tourism.
The film was screened at CITES in Santiago, Chile, in November 2002, during a special evening hosted by the Species Survival Network, a group of 40 international NGOs who speak with one voice at CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora). More than four hundred people attended the screening and a DVD, narrated in nine languages, was distributed to every one of the delegates. AEFF believes that the film persuaded many international delegates to vote against reopening the ivory trade. It was noted that many delegates appreciated having the film in their own language which allowed them to understand the content of the film. There was no reopening of the ivory trade, although a limited approval for specific ivory sales, by certain countries and subject to certain conditions being met, was agreed. To date (2007) these conditions have not been met.
The film was screened by the East African Wildlife Society on September 22nd, 2002, as part of Kenya’s awareness raising campaign on the ivory issue. Kenya believes that live elephants bring in more revenue to more people on a sustained basis than an ivory trade ever could. The film was screened again in Nairobi on October 22nd, and was introduced by the Hon. Charles Njonjo, Chairman of the Trustees, Kenya Wildlife Service.
The film was premiered at AEFF’s Summer Reception in the British Houses of Parliament in June 2002.
To date more than 2500 copies of this film have been distributed in Kenya alone, with every Kenya Wildlife Service employee receiving a free copy. This act alone boosted the morale of the rangers who are the men on the ground facing the armed bandits every day of their lives.
This trailer shows selected clips from the finished film:
Year of Completion: 2002
Available in the following Languages: English, Kiswahili, Maa, Kikamba, Mandarin, Japanese, Arabic, Spanish, French, German
Available in the following formats: DVD
If you represent an educational institution, or an environmental or conservation organization in Africa, you can request a free copy of this film on DVD.
Completed Films
White Gold
CompletedElephants in Peril
CompletedThe Icons of Tsavo
CompletedBee Trilogy
Completed
Films in Production
A Snake with Many Legs
In productionK2 – Kenya Coast
In production