“I am #IvoryFree” Online Campaign
In Thailand, the elephant is a national symbol and source of national pride and heritage. With the illicit trade of ivory and poaching claiming up to 33,000 elephants a year, many governments around the world have banned the domestic sale of ivory. The Thai government has taken several steps toward raising awareness around protecting elephants, including introducing the Elephant Ivory Act and prohibiting the sale of African elephant ivory. Thailand has made tremendous progress in countering illegal wildlife crime; however, it is still considered a major destination market and transshipment hub for ivory trafficked to China and the region.
“I am #IvoryFree” is an online public declaration to never buy, own or accept ivory as gifts. It is a clear acknowledgement that ivory belongs only to elephants. The campaign aims to change the perception among the Thai public that ivory is a symbol of status and wealth, and increase their awareness that consumer decisions have a direct impact on the poaching crisis.
To support the campaign, USAID Wildlife Asia and WildAid are inviting all Thai people to create their Ivory Free photo at www.ivoryfreethai.org and post the image to their social media profiles with hashtags including, #ไม่เอางาไม่ฆ่าช้าง #IvoryFree. The online campaign is expected to draw strong support from influential members of Thai society from various sectors – business, entertainment, art and culture, sports, politics – who will be encouraged to post their own pledges with the message that appeals to them online.
Join the Campaign in 8 Easy Steps:
- Open link ivoryfreethai.org
- Click “Upload IMG” to upload your photo
- Add your name in box under “My Name is…”
- Adjust the scale of your photo
- Click “Use Photo”
- Click “Share”
- Select or copy one of 3 messages to share
- Share on Facebook, Twitter, email or download
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About USAID Wildlife Asia
The USAID Wildlife Asia Activity works to address wildlife trafficking as a transnational crime. The project aims to reduce consumer demand for wildlife parts and products, strengthen law enforcement, enhance legal and political commitment, and support regional collaboration to reduce wildlife crime in Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia; Laos; Thailand; Vietnam, and China. Species focus of USAID Wildlife Asia include elephant, rhinoceros, tiger, and pangolin. For more information, please visit www.usaidwildlifeasia.org
About WildAid
WildAid is a nonprofit organization with a mission to end the illegal wildlife trade in our lifetimes. While most conservation groups focus on directly protecting wildlife from poaching, WildAid primarily works to reduce global consumption of wildlife products, such as shark fin and elephant ivory, by changing attitudes and behavior, and providing comprehensive enforcement of marine sanctuaries. In Asia, where demand for ivory is highest, WildAid runs its Ivory Free campaigns in China, Hong Kong and Thailand. With a global media partner network and a team of celebrity ambassadors including Prince William, Yao Ming and Lupita Nyong’o, WildAid leverages over $200 million in annual pro bono media support with a simple yet powerful message: When the Buying Stops, the Killing Can Too. For more information, visit http://www.wildaid.org/ www.ivoryfreethai.org