ThailandThai and foreign actors and activists are building up pressure on Thailand to its part in the world ivory trade which, they say, puts elephants in Africa in danger of extinction.
Leonardo DiCaprio has called on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to implement a total ban on the ivory trade in Thailand.
Speaking at the launch of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) "Hands Off My Parts" campaign in Washington, the 38-year-old star of Titanic demanded that the Thai government ban all ivory trade.
The publicity campaign comes just ahead of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), which will be held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center from March 3-14.
"Illegal wildlife trade is the most urgent threat facing species like tigers, rhinos and elephants," said DiCaprio at the US press conference. "These animals are being killed every day to feed an escalating demand for their body parts.
BangkokPost.com
19 February 2013Photo caption
Leonardo DiCaprio joins a call on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to implement a total ban on ivory trade in Thailand. (AP Photo)
