A statement from the organisers on Wednesday said, “We march against extinction and demand governments take action to stop the poaching of elephants and rhino and end the trade in ivory and rhino horn. With global corruption driving injustice toward animals and humans alike, we further demand transparency and accountability from governments on behalf of ‘Justice for All and Justice for Earth’.”

“Debating the statistics is no longer relevant,” GMFER organisers say, “It doesn’t matter which data you choose to look at, there is no denying that the planet’s loss of elephants and rhino is precipitous; these keystone species are heading toward extinction.”