On the occasion of Thai National Elephant Day on March 13, David Lyman, Chairman and Chief Values Officer of Tilleke & Gibbins, joined 14 top local business leaders in signing a pledge to oppose all use of illegal wildlife products, particularly elephant ivory, in order to reiterate their joint commitments to support wildlife conservation and end the illegal trade in wildlife products in Thailand.

The pledge, developed by WildAid, a San Francisco-based environmental nonprofit that is working to reduce global demand for wildlife products, has the following contents:

• To lead by example in developing sustainable and socially responsible business practices.
• Not to purchase, use, or give as gifts any illegal wildlife products and ivory.
• To encourage friends, family, and employees never to purchase any illegal wildlife products.
• To support efforts to conserve Thailand’s rich natural heritage and protect wildlife.

Joining David as signatories to the pledge was former deputy prime minister M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula , as well as top executives from Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited; Bangkok Rinvest Co., Ltd.; B. Grimm; Boon Rawd Brewery Co., Ltd.; GP Group; Hana Microelectronics Group; Kasikorn Bank PCL; Minor International Public Company Limited; Ocean Glass Public Company Limited; Sukosol Hotels Group; Thai Environmental and Community Development Association (Magic Eyes); The Navakij Insurance Public Company Limited; and TMB Bank Public Company Limited. The pledge has received positive mention in local media, and it is expected that the initial 15 signatories will soon be joined by other business leaders in Thailand as this conservation campaign progresses.

Although Thailand has been identified as a hub for the trafficking of ivory and other wildlife products from Africa to China, through their recent pledges, David Lyman and local business leaders are sending a clear message that they will stand together in the fight to end the illegal trade in wildlife products in Thailand.