Chinese ivory queen arrested

Finally the big wigs in the ivory trade are being targeted. The news that a major trafficker, a Chinese woman who has been under surveillance by authorities for the past year has been arrested in Tanzania is so encouraging and wonderful news for elephants. It isn't until some of the real heavyweights in the illicit ivory trade are brought down that the situation will change. Arresting the poor and local people who kill elephants for their ivory won't make any difference to the situation because the ones driving it are still free to carry on, business as usual. That we are hearing of high profile arrests is just the best news possible and gives those of us who truly care about elephants and all wildlife, hope that there is in fact hope. For so long the stories of what is happening has been so grim that I for one have almost come to accept that elephants will disappear from the world in my lifetime. Can it be that there is reason to feel optimistic after all, I certainly hope so.