Think Twice to save endangered animals

A campaign has been launched to warn travellers of the impact they have on endangered species when they buy wildlife souvenirs.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) says many animals including elephants, rhinos, leopards and turtles, are being illegally slaughtered to feed a growing trade that turns ivory, fur, claws, teeth and shells into holiday trinkets.

Travel industry body ABTA has backed the Think Twice campaign and will highlight the issue to its members and feature the IFAW’s work on its website.

A YouGov poll, carried out for IFAW, reveals that more than 600,000 Britons alone have returned from holidays abroad with wildlife souvenirs, including ivory, in the past five years.

Robbie Marsland, IFAW UK’s director, said: "Tourists need to remember if they don’t buy, animals won’t die. If 600,000 British tourists are bringing back parts of dead animals as souvenirs think how many millions must be dying internationally.

"It’s far better to buy alternative mementos, such as local handicrafts, instead of items that harm the very animals that people have travelled so far to see."

A recent undercover investigation by IFAW in South Africa revealed that souvenirs made from elephant ivory and hair, sharks' teeth, lion and cheetah claws, porcupine quills and zebra skin are being extensively, openly and often illegally sold in airports, markets and curio shops, to be brought back to the UK.

Keith Richards, ABTA's head of consumer affairs, said: "We encourage our members to raise awareness by giving advice to their customers on souvenirs that should be avoided in holiday destinations around the world."

© Cheapflights Ltd. Craig McGinty