Conference rejects Zimbabwe and Namibia's proposal to sell ivory stockpiles

Video report by ITV News Africa Correspondent John Ray.

Last week, the Duke of Cambridge highlighted the threat of extinction of the African elephant as a result of the ongoing poaching crisis, ahead of a major global conference aimed at tackling illegal wildlife trade.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) is taking place in South Africa and among the key proposals on the agenda is the destruction of ivory stockpiles.

But all some countries are not favour of the idea. Zimbabwe and Namibia offered a counter-proposal of selling their stockpiles of ivory and returning the profits to communities that sustain elephants.

However, the proposal which has been deemed as "spurious" by some, was roundly defeated.