The ten-day meeting of the conference of the parties to the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species has seen Africa split over the treatment of their natural heritage.

The gathering of conservation policy-makers, experts and activists in Sandton decided against giving maxim CITES protection to all African elephants.

More than half the African members fear this will be a charter for organized crime using poachers to get the ivory from these animals who’s number has dwindled by a third this past seven years.

Southern African countries, including South Africa, believe they know best how to protect their wildlife.

Many have spoken out against what they see as interference by Western-financed conservation groups

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