Initiative goes after wildlife parts trafficking

SEATTLE – An initiative effort supported by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen would make it a crime in Washington to sell or trade elephant ivory, shark fins and other animal parts from several species.

Initiative 1401 would cover 10 species threatened with extinction in part due to poaching, the Seattle Times reported Sunday. Violators would face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

On the list are elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, lions, leopards, cheetahs, marine turtles, sharks, rays and pangolins, also known as scaly anteaters.

Museums would be exempt along with certain antiques, musical instruments and sales from estates.

Allen has donated millions of dollars to conservation projects in Africa.

While federal law bans smuggling parts of many endangered species, initiative supporters say without local penalties, the trade continues.