Malawi Government has launched a video clip to be used for the anti-wildlife trade campaign.
Launching the ‘Say No to Ivory Trade Campaign’ video on Thursday afternoon at Kamuzu Palace, President Peter Mutharika committed that his government will do its best to end wildlife crimes in the country.
The clip features President Peter Mutharika and 15 foreign ambassadors mainly informing people of the importance of wildlife and dangers of illegal wildlife trade.
At the very beginning of the video, President Mutharika encourages people not to tolerate wildlife crimes followed by messages from foreign ambassadors and it ends with the president Mutharika pleading with people to say “No” to wildlife crime. The english messages in the video have also been translated into official languages for each foreign ambassador featured in the clip but for Malawi it is Chichewa.
15 foreign ambassadors who featured in the video are directing messages to their own citizens both visiting and working in Malawi to support the country’s effort to protect its natural assets and fight international wildlife crime.
The launched video mainly focusing on Elephant poaching and illegal ivory trade will be shown in the airports and sent out on social media.
“It is so sad of what is going on and am sure we will do our best to make sure that we stop this savage and criminal behavior globally” reacted President Mutharika after watching the video clip which was played along with a short film from Kenya which is highlighting the impact of the ivory trade and how purchase of ivory products is linked to organized crime which is fueling elephant crisis.
President Mutharika said the video launched sends the strong warning to wildlife criminals that he will not under his watch allow natural resources plundered for the benefit of few and further warned that Malawi will not accept criminals to use the country for illegal trade or operate within its borders.
The Malawi President noted that survival of human kind also depends on the ability to protect natural heritage and that protecting animals is an economic-social and environmental responsibility.
He emphasized that failure to save Africa’s majestic species such as elephants and rhinos erode hope for the rest of the wildlife.
He said failure to act in combating illegal ivory trade and poaching now, Malawi will lose wildlife species, biodiversity as well a loss of opportunities for development through tourism and the associated impacts on agriculture and human health.
He said wildlife crime fight will be his Government priority and committed to do his best to make sure that wildlife criminal behavior is stopped.
“My Government is working hard to combat wildlife crime. We are adapting to the growing threat by strengthening our laws, improving law enforcement and increasing our inter-agency and cross-border cooperation among so many other strategies.” He said
Mutharika called on Malawians to be vigilant and work together to stop plunder of the God given natural heritage by urging every citizen to say no to illegal ivory trade and report any suspicious activity.
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