Kenya received crucial international support for its opposition to uncontrolled trade in ivory when the Standing Committee for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) recently shot down proposals by South Africa, Namibia and Botswana to sell off 60 tonnes of stockpiled elephant ivory. The three countries had hoped they would be given permission to sell the ivory legally by CITES 50th Standing Committee that concluded a weeklong session in Geneva recently. But the sale was held up until a list of conditions is met.