Global delegates agree to action plan on wildlife trafficking
Hanoi - Representatives from across the world agreed on an action plan to combat illegal wildlife trafficking at a conference in Hanoi on Friday.
Delegates from more than 50 countries and inter-government organisations, who met at the Hanoi Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade on Thursday and Friday, agreed on measures to eradicate illegal trafficking in wildlife body parts.
The German government, which co-sponsored the conference, pledged to work with African partner countries to help develop judicial systems to fight poachers, while host country Vietnam promised to promote educational programmes to fight demand.
Demand for wildlife body parts, particularly ivory and rhinoceros horn from Africa, is especially high in Vietnam and China.
Africa's elephant population has dropped by 111,000 to 415,000 individuals since poaching surged in 2006, while the number of rhinos poached in South Africa has increased from 13 in 2007 to 1,175 in2015, according to conservationist organisations.