SEATTLE — A new 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 derived 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 $10,000 fine.
Museums would be exempt, as would certain antiques and musical instruments, and sales from estates.
The initiative effort comes after a proposal to go after ivory and rhino-horn trafficking in the state died in the Legislature. The I-401 campaign needs to gather 246,372 signatures by July 2 in order to qualify for the November ballot.
