5
Phyllonorycter platani 1992
Essex records from:
v.c. 19 - Epping, Harlow, Chelmsford, Maldon.
v.c. 18 - Woodford, Collier Row, East Ham (CWP), Wanstead Flats, Beckton (CWP),
Rainham, Upminster, South Ockendon, Purfleet, Grays.
DavidAgassiz
IVORY AND ELEPHANTS
The plight of the world's elephants and the lust for ivory are the themes of a new exhibition
at the Chelmsford and Essex Museum.
The past and recent history of the ivory trade are explored in some detail. Early links with
slavery and exploitation of Africa are examined. The story brings us up to, and examines
today's complex political pressures as well as the ecological arguments.
The facts and figures make grim reading and will shock many - the exhibition is clearly
designed to wake us up. The 1970's and 1980's have seen the greatest loss of these superb
animals - between two and three hundred were being killed each day over a ten year period.
Across much of their range elephants have disappeared and their habitat is fast disppearing
too. Today's wars, demand for land and recent droughts are all taking their toll.
The uniqueness of ivory, its versatility, the large range of products made, and past and
present alternatives are all looked at in some detail together with objects on display.
The exhibition has been produced by the Area Museums Service for South East England in
association with the People's Trust for Endangered Species. It can be seen at the
Chelmsford and Essex Museum from the 9th January to the 7th February. The museum is
open from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Saturday and from 2.00 to 5.00 pm on Sunday.
For further information contact Dr Tony Walentowicz, Keeper of Natural Sciences on 0245
281660.