Ivory Trade

In 1989 the UN made the ivory trade illegal.  The law is broken because of corrupt governments.  Some countries are using the profits for the ivory trade to fund military operations.  Hippopotamus, walrus, narwhal, mammoth and most commonly African and Asian elephants are killed and their tusks removed to create ivory sculptures.

Between 2008-2013, the estimated death toll ranged between 30,000 – 50,000 elephants per year.  They are being killed faster than they are being born. The slaughter is horrifying.  Poachers target a herd, shoot them with automatic weapons and hack off tusks with axes and chainsaws.  The tusks are fed into the illegal international chain, which is controlled by highly organised criminal syndicates.  Their feet are hacked off for stools and table legs.

This feeds the demand for ivory in Asia, Europe, USA and elsewhere.  Elephants are becoming an endangered species partly because of the illegal ivory trade.  Born Free at www.bornfree.org.uk investigates and exposes illegal ivory poaching and together with the SSN Elephant Working Group, works to increase protection for elephants.  Raise awareness through the press or petitions.  Support charities.  Make people aware of the impact.  Campaign for laws to protect endangered species.  Write to MP’s and MEP’s of climate change on wildlife.  Adopt or sponsor an animal.