[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E198-E199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE ASIAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM SAXTON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 14, 2001

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, 4 years ago, I introduced the Asian Elephant 
Conservation Act. I took that action because I was startled to learn 
that there were less than 40,000 Asian elephants living in the wild. 
Furthermore, nearly 50 percent of those elephants living in various 
national parks in India, while the remaining animals were scattered in 
fragmented populations throughout 12 other countries in South and 
Southeast Asia.
  The primary reason for this serious decline in population was the 
lose of essential habitat. It is no secret that elephants and man are 
in direct competition for the same resources. In most cases, it was the 
elephants who lost in those confrontations.
  In addition, Asian elephants are poached for their bones, hide, meat, 
and teeth; they are still captured for domestication; and conflicts 
between elephants and people are escalating at an alarming rate. 
Furthermore, it was clear that millions of people were not aware of the 
plight of Asian elephants and that range countries lack the financial 
resources to help conserve this flagship species. Without an 
international effort, the future of the Asian elephant was in serious 
jeopardy.
  In response to this problem, I, along with a number of other Members, 
proposed the establishment of an Asian elephant conservation fund. This 
concept was modeled after the highly successful African elephant 
conservation fund, and the fundamental goal of my legislation was to 
obtain a small amount of Federal assistance for on-the-ground 
conservation projects.
  In testimony before my subcommittee, eight witnesses indicated strong 
support for my bill and their belief that it would be an effective way 
to assist Asian elephants. One of those witnesses, Dr. Terry Maple, the 
president of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, stated that,

       This bill will provide competitive financing where it is 
     needed most--in the wild to support protection, conservation, 
     and management of threatened Asian elephants.


[[Page E199]]


  In addition, noted wildlife biologist, Doug Chadwick advised the 
subcommittee that

       To pass an Asian Elephant Conservation Act would be one of 
     the most farsighted and yet practical things we could do the 
     benefit of Americans, people throughout Asia, and the world 
     we share.

  Fortunately, this important legislation was overwhelmingly approved 
by both bodies, and it was signed into law on November 19, 1997.
  Under the terms of P.L. 105-95, the Congress could appropriate up to 
$25 million to the Asian elephant conservation funds until September 
30, 2002. In fact, some $1.9 million in Federal funds has been 
allocated and those moneys have been matched by an additional $1.1 
million in private donations. Those funds have been used to underwrite 
27 conservation grants in 9 different range countries. The type of 
prospects funded have included: develop an elephant strategy in Sri 
Lanka; identification of a suitable managed elephant range in Malaysia; 
molecular tools for the local population assessment of Asian elephants; 
school education to support Asian elephant conversation in India and 
trace the mobility patterns, population dynamics, and feeding patterns 
of Sri Lankan elephants. These projects were carefully analyzed and 
competitively selected from a list of nearly 100 proposals that were 
submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  While the early indications is that the worldwide population of Asian 
elephants has stopped its precipitous decline, it is unrealistic to 
believe that $3 million can save this species from extinction. 
Nevertheless, this law sent a powerful message to the international 
community that we must not allow this flagship species to disappear 
from the wild. The United States must continue to play a leadership 
role in this effort.
  I, therefore, urge my colleagues to join with in support of the Asian 
Elephant Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2001 which will extend 
this vital conservation law for an additional 5 years.

                          ____________________