The mission of Global March for Elephants and Rhinos (GMFER) is to and demand that world leaders take action to STOP the poaching of elephants and rhinos and to END the trade in ivory and rhino horn. (GMFER), is a non profit organization in the USA with EIN #81-1276522. GMFER advocates on behalf of the world’s last land-based mega fauna. Not only are rhinos and elephants iconic creatures, they are also keystone species that are absolutely vital for the survival of plant and other animal species in their home ranges. GMFER demands the end to the trade in ivory and rhino horn. As long as there is a consumer market for these “products,” the scourge of poaching, killing some 100 elephants every day, and over 1000 rhinos every year, for products that are unnecessary and without medicinal value, will continue. GMFER has been very active this past year and has much to celebrate. GMFER and its affiliates directly advocated for the US trade ban campaigns at the local, state, and national levels. It has used its voice to help apply pressure for destroying stockpiles in Africa, Asia and the USA, and to end both international and domestic trade in ivory and horn. GMFER applauds the actions made by governments and the people on behalf of the continued survival of elephants and rhinos. Organizing these global marches over the past two years was a massive and exuberant effort that helped raise global awareness about the horrific crisis facing elephants and rhinos as well as issues of China's culpability in their decimation on the African continent. Millions of people were reached through the readership of publications that covered the marches and reported about them globally; the politicians of the world browsed media and reports, with some deciding to take action, such as happened in Malawi. Furthermore, less than ten days before the march itself, US President Barack Obama and China's President Xi Jin Ping agreed to put restrictions upon ivory trade. This last is a vital, necessary, and welcome step in the right direction and we commend their announcement. However, still more must be done: we demand a full ban on both ivory and horn trade, internationally and within the borders of all nations. We also demand an end to continued trophy hunting of at-risk species, whether in the wild or in “canned hunts.” These demands on behalf of the survival and well being of elephants, rhinos, and lions are outlined in GMFER’s Memorandum of Demands(MoD athttp://www.march4elephantsandrhinos.org/uploads/1/0/3/0/10306695/gmfer_mod_2015_ckra_8_9.pdf
Earlier this year, the marches were singled out by U.S. Department of State’s news platform, ShareAmerica, as one of the three big wins for elephants of 2015. They said:
“According to experts, these marches keep political pressure on leaders to protect the world’s largest land animal.” https://share.america.gov/elephant-ivory-prices-plummet/
Other 2015 Achievements on behalf of Elephants and Rhinos by GMFER and its affiliates include:
Press coverage and publicity about the crisis situation for African wildlife by protesting meetings and safari package auctions of the Dallas Safari Club
San Francisco Board of Supervisors passes a resolution in Support of California AB 96 banning trade in ivory and rhino horn and with League of Humane Voters push passage to ban of all exotic animal performances
Use of San Francisco March for Elephants material as an example of a successful social media conservation campaign strategy by African Wildlife Foundation at the Advisory Council Meeting in Washington DC
Gathering of signatures and testifying on behalf of Passing California’s AB 96 banning all trade in ivory and rhino horn
Endorsements of the Global Marches for Elephants and Rhinos by Helen Clark, Ricky Gervais, Jane Goodall, Richard Leakey, and Daphne Sheldrick
Acknowledgement by South African Minister of Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa of receipt of GMFER’s Proposed Amendments to Legislation for South Africa (PALSA) concerning rhino conservation and a ban on rhino horn trade and the Memorandum of Demand for ending the trade in ivory
Submissions of Memoranda of Demand to countries implicated in the trade in ivory and/or rhino horn
Supported the activities of Kenyans United Against Poaching (KUAPO) in its work with aiding local communities on anti-poaching initiatives
Supported the Friends of Lucy campaign to obtain an unbiased health assessment of the Edmonton Zoo’s solitary elephant, and ultimately transfer her to one of the two legitimate US elephant sanctuaries
We will not stop until we know that ALL of these animals are beyond the reach of man’s fascination with trinkets on shelves, heads on walls, and misinformed ideas regarding the medicinal value of rhino horn. We expect 2016 to be an even greater year than last year and what its considerable efforts yielded. Plans for this year’s global efforts are in the works, so please stay tuned. We do have some new projects underway already. There are more ivory and rhino horn bans already set to begin working through State legislatures in the United States. Also of note, our co-founder Rosemary Alles will be joining other advocates in Africa to work with Elephants Alive and the Black Mambas. And, Global March for Elephants and Rhinos is growing! In order to increase our reach as an effective voice for African wildlife, we are please to report that we are an official Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). As an independent and registered organization, we can more effectively engage with larger and more established NGOs and have more opportunities to be heard by governments in range states. We can also be present for vital meetings such as the upcoming CITES 17th Conference of the Parties in Johannesburg, South Africa, which will be addressing which plants and animals will be placed on the Endangered Species lists or afforded various protections. We are certain that our new status will make it possible for GMFER to continue making strides in the protection of African mega fauna. We must be voices for these critically endangered animals. We will continue to leverage our social media presence to make your voices heard by taking advantage of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Together, we go far! FIND YOUR CITY by clicking on our cover banner at this link: https://www.facebook.com/March4Elephants/photos/a.621673867850768.1073741826.621668134518008/1209660002385482/?type=3&theater
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