TNAG-2133-FCO40-3048-Hong-Kong-and-the-ivory-trade-1990 — Page 82

+

-5-

them in new jobs and to provide vocational training courses in a wide range of new occupations. The Hong Kong Government has set aside HK $5.88m (£400,000) to establish a

special training course in cattle horn/bone carving and to

pay subsistence to the workers while undergoing training.

As at 16 July some 234 ex-ivory workers had registered with

the Labour Department and a small number of these have

started the course.

C

9.

The world trade ban on ivory has clearly played a major role in reducing the killing of elephants in East Africa, but just as important are the steps which the Governments of Kenya and Tanzania have taken to combat the poaching gangs. The appointment of Dr Leakey to head the KWS was the first

sign that the Kenyan Government had decided to tackle the problem head-on, no doubt worried by the effect of the poaching on its considerable income from tourism, and the murder of a number of tourists by the armed gangs. Dr Leakey has acted quickly to stamp out the endemic

corruption of the conservation authorities in Kenya and to improve the equipment, training and morale of his game

wardens. The UK has assisted Kenya, and other African countries, through supplies of equipment and financial grants, to conserve their wildlife. Mrs Chalker, in her

statement to the House on 2 April, described the forms this assistance is taking. Since 2 April we have also received a

request from the Tanzanians for £600,000 worth of communications equipment.

Environment Science and Energy Department

6 September 1990

JE5AAY