Flatley rhino horn certification sought

Irish environmental groups have asked the National Parks and Wildlife Service to determine if Mr Flatley holds the necessary Certificate of Authenticity for the rhino horn stolen from his property recently.

31st January 2014

31 January 2014

For immediate release
Contacts: Tony Lowes 087 2176316  or Tom Roche 086 8049389

Flatley rhino horn certification sought

Irish environmental groups have asked the National Parks and Wildlife Service to determine if Mr Flatley holds the necessary Certificate of Authenticity for the rhino horn stolen from his property recently.
The letter has been issued in advance of a high level Conference to be held in London on 12 and 13 February 2014, when world leaders will meet to discuss escalating wildlife crime.

Globally wildlife crime is worth an estimated STG£19bn a year. The surge in the killing of elephants in Africa and the illegal taking of other listed species globally threatens not only wildlife populations but the livelihoods of millions who depend on tourism for a living and the lives of those wardens and wildlife staff who are attempting to stem the illegal tide.

The western black rhino was declared extinct by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2011 and the Javan rhino is now extinct in mainland Asia.

Wildlife crime is ranked third after drugs and arms trafficking globally. On 18th January 2014, the South African government revealed that a record 1004 rhinos were killed by poachers during 2013 across the country - the equivalent of nearly three animals a day. This figure is up significantly on the 2012 figure when 668 rhinos were reported to have been killed. Furthermore, as we enter a new year there appears to be no let up to the slaughter of these magnificent animals. Since 1st of January to 18th January 2014 a further 37 rhinos have been slaughtered for their horns.

The groups, have filed formal Request for Investigations of Mr Flatley’s collection of rhino horn and any other possessions covered by CITES the world-renowned dancer may have with Dr. Ciaran O’Keeffe, the Senior Inspector of the Species’ Protection Unit of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and are awaiting a response. They have also made a report to the Superintendent of the Cork North Division of the Garda at the Fermoy Garda station.

ENDS

Irish Seal Sanctuary
Irish Wildlife Trust
Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
Friends of the Irish Environment
Centre for Environmental Living and Training
Coastwatch Ireland
Feasta
Sonairte-The National Ecology Centre
Irish Woodworkers for Africa T/A Just Forests
 

“...over the past few years wildlife trafficking has become more organized, more lucrative, more widespread, and more dangerous than ever before...it is also a national security issue, a public health issue, and an economic security issueHilary Clinton,
Secretary of State,
United States Government

US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton links wildlife trafficing to 'terrorism' - See more on this issue from Secretary Clinton here...

Letter to Garda station Fermoy
	Garda Station Fermoy.pdf (1.48 MB)
Letter to NPWS-CITES Inspector
	NPWS-CITES.pdf (1.46 MB)