The coordinated march will raise awareness of the urgent need for action to protect elephants and rhinos against the illegal wildlife trade. Last year more than 130 cities around the world participated.

The timing of this year’s march is crucial. It takes place on the first day of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) 17^th Conference of Parties, an incredibly important meeting that will impact the fates of endangered species for years to come. The decisions made by CITES determine the rules governing wildlife trade. The world needs CITES to enact the strictest possible regulations to protect elephants and rhinos.

We march to call for a complete ban on the international and domestic trade of all endangered wildlife body parts, including ivory, rhino horn, and lion and tiger bone.

We march to demand that all species of elephants and rhinos be classified as threatened with extinction, and thus in need of the most comprehensive protections under CITES’ administration.

Elephants and rhinos face an unprecedented crisis of survival. They are being driven to the brink of extinction by a growing, seemingly insatiable demand for their body parts. Approximately 100 elephants are killed in Africa every day, and an estimated 25,000-50,000 are poached each year.  The situation for rhinos is just as bleak. Their numbers have depleted from more than a million across African savannahs in the 19^th century to fewer than 30,000 rhinos worldwide today.

Time is running out. These animals do not reproduce quickly enough to account for such devastating losses. If we don’t act soon, we will lose them to eternity.

Take a stand for elephants and rhinos – march! Show CITES that the world demands action against the unjust, inhumane, and brutal $20 billion industry that is the illegal wildlife trade.

Find or organize a march near you and learn more here.

In Defense of Animals is marching in Los Angeles, so please come out and join us if you’re in the area!