"`With regard to a minimum standard size of elephant tusks for export, I am pleased to inform you that the matter has been reviewed, and you will be allowed to hunt male elephants with tusks heavier that 20 kilograms per tusk or longer than 1.70 meters in length for each tusk, instead of the current 1.75 meters and above in length or 25 kilograms in weight.'
"The change may appear to be slight, but it is expected to result in many more elephants being taken on safaris to Tanzania. `It is very good news,' said Bert Klineburger, US agent for Gerard and Eric Pasanisi, whose safari companies in Tanzania account for the majority of elephants taken there in recent years.
"Klineburger said he estimated the recent harvest of elephants by Pasanisi clients to be in the neighborhood of 18 per year. He declined to speculate on how many additional elephants will be taken under the lowered minimum, but he did note that most clients who hunt with the Pasanisis in the Selous routinely apply for CITES Permits to import elephant ivory on the off-hand chance they see a jumbo large enough to take. Assuredly, more clients will be needing those permits, he said...."
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