Topic
TOPIC
- 17 people sentenced for moving millions of dollars in tusks from West Africa as part of the biggest illicit network of its kind in China
- Life terms show authorities are coming down hard on illegal trade, campaigner says
Over 2.4 tonnes of elephant tusks and contraband related to the illegal ivory trade was put on display by customs officers in China’s southern Guangxi autonomous region on December 2, 2019. In one of the largest transfers seen in recent years, the haul of ivory was being handed over for secure storage or disposal by forestry department authorities in the provincial capital Nanning.
Over 2.4 tonnes of elephant tusks and contraband related to the illegal ivory trade was put on display by customs officers in China’s southern Guangxi autonomous region on December 2, 2019. In one of the largest transfers seen in recent years, the haul of ivory was being handed over for secure storage or disposal by forestry department authorities in the provincial capital Nanning.
Daniel Ole Sambu, a conservationist from the Big Life Foundation, talks about the impact of the Chinese demand for wildlife products, and why his Kenyan culture is turning its back on the teenage tradition of lion-killing
Daniel Ole Sambu, a conservationist from the Big Life Foundation, talks about the impact of the Chinese demand for wildlife products, and why his Kenyan culture is turning its back on the teenage tradition of lion-killing
Countries have agreed to limit the controversial sale of wild elephants caught in Zimbabwe and Botswana, to the delight of conservationists but the dismay of some of the African countries involved.
Countries have agreed to limit the controversial sale of wild elephants caught in Zimbabwe and Botswana, to the delight of conservationists but the dismay of some of the African countries involved.
Elephants Without Borders research likely to increase pressure on Botswana, which last month sparked controversy by lifting its ban on hunting.
Elephants Without Borders research likely to increase pressure on Botswana, which last month sparked controversy by lifting its ban on hunting.
The illegal slaughter of African elephants to feed Asia’s demand for ivory has decreased by more than half in eight years, but the majestic mammals are still threatened with extinction, researchers warned.
The illegal slaughter of African elephants to feed Asia’s demand for ivory has decreased by more than half in eight years, but the majestic mammals are still threatened with extinction, researchers warned.
Numerous national regulations and global treaties exist that target the traffic in ivory, rhino horn and other endangered wildlife, but lax enforcement makes them paper tigers.
Numerous national regulations and global treaties exist that target the traffic in ivory, rhino horn and other endangered wildlife, but lax enforcement makes them paper tigers.
Twenty-six suspected members of international trafficking ring arrested in coordinated operation across six provinces.
Twenty-six suspected members of international trafficking ring arrested in coordinated operation across six provinces.
The ivory-stuffed timber logs were discovered Tuesday at Da Nang’s main port on a ship from the Republic of Congo in central Africa
The ivory-stuffed timber logs were discovered Tuesday at Da Nang’s main port on a ship from the Republic of Congo in central Africa
Hong Kong should treat Japan’s recently passed law requiring proof that ivory was legally obtained as an example to follow
Hong Kong should treat Japan’s recently passed law requiring proof that ivory was legally obtained as an example to follow
China says it supports Tanzania’s sentence of Yang Fenglan to 15 years in jail for ivory trafficking. The 69-year-old was dubbed the Chinese "Ivory Queen" for organising one of Africa's largest tusk smuggling rings. She was convicted in Dar es Salaam on February 19 for trafficking 860 tusks between 2000 and 2014, contributing to the slaughter of dozens of herds of elephants. Activists estimate that in fact thousands of elephant were likely slaughtered for Yang's smuggling ring. At the time of her arrest in 2015, Yang was the vice-president of the China-Africa Business Council.
China says it supports Tanzania’s sentence of Yang Fenglan to 15 years in jail for ivory trafficking. The 69-year-old was dubbed the Chinese "Ivory Queen" for organising one of Africa's largest tusk smuggling rings. She was convicted in Dar es Salaam on February 19 for trafficking 860 tusks between 2000 and 2014, contributing to the slaughter of dozens of herds of elephants. Activists estimate that in fact thousands of elephant were likely slaughtered for Yang's smuggling ring. At the time of her arrest in 2015, Yang was the vice-president of the China-Africa Business Council.
During 27 day operation, customs detect about 1,300 smuggling cases.
During 27 day operation, customs detect about 1,300 smuggling cases.
Increased penalties for the smuggling of endangered species send a clear message to the public about the seriousness of such offences.
Increased penalties for the smuggling of endangered species send a clear message to the public about the seriousness of such offences.
The lack of prosecutions following the seizure of ivory tusks worth HK$70 million is sending the wrong message to those who trade in animal parts
The lack of prosecutions following the seizure of ivory tusks worth HK$70 million is sending the wrong message to those who trade in animal parts
Hong Kong must redouble efforts to stop the illegal trade in ivory, following the latest reminder of how syndicates that profit from the crime often go scot-free.
Hong Kong must redouble efforts to stop the illegal trade in ivory, following the latest reminder of how syndicates that profit from the crime often go scot-free.
China’s customs authority has joined hands with environmental groups including WildAid and WWF to crack down on ivory smuggling. The campaign includes a video with a stark warning about the legal risks and impact on endangered species of smuggling activities.
China’s customs authority has joined hands with environmental groups including WildAid and WWF to crack down on ivory smuggling. The campaign includes a video with a stark warning about the legal risks and impact on endangered species of smuggling activities.
Customs seized seven tonnes of tusks worth about HK$70 million in a shipment of frozen fish in 2017 but justice department said there was insufficient evidence to support a reasonable prospect of conviction.
Customs seized seven tonnes of tusks worth about HK$70 million in a shipment of frozen fish in 2017 but justice department said there was insufficient evidence to support a reasonable prospect of conviction.
Study reveals alarming surge in smuggling activity, but prosecution rate remains low. Experts call for cases to be handled under law against organised crime for greater deterrence and investigative firepower.
Study reveals alarming surge in smuggling activity, but prosecution rate remains low. Experts call for cases to be handled under law against organised crime for greater deterrence and investigative firepower.
Russian authorities estimate 500,000 tonnes of ‘ice ivory’ are buried in Siberian permafrost, attracting buyers from China.
Russian authorities estimate 500,000 tonnes of ‘ice ivory’ are buried in Siberian permafrost, attracting buyers from China.
Hong Kong is considered the world’s largest ivory market playing a major role in the slaughter of 30,000 African elephants annually, according to WWF. On January 1, 2018, Hong Kong voted to gradually phase out the trade of ivory, stopping completely in 2021. But for those on the ground in Africa, that is a long way away.
Hong Kong is considered the world’s largest ivory market playing a major role in the slaughter of 30,000 African elephants annually, according to WWF. On January 1, 2018, Hong Kong voted to gradually phase out the trade of ivory, stopping completely in 2021. But for those on the ground in Africa, that is a long way away.
China easing its ban on trade in rhino horn and tiger parts ‘has compromised the whole well-being of our animals’, Kenyan says. Meanwhile, fight to save Gabon’s forest elephants from ivory poachers is seen as a battle for the country’s future.
China easing its ban on trade in rhino horn and tiger parts ‘has compromised the whole well-being of our animals’, Kenyan says. Meanwhile, fight to save Gabon’s forest elephants from ivory poachers is seen as a battle for the country’s future.
A tour of local schools featuring those who see illegal poaching and its effects up close in Africa could help reduce the demand endangering the species.
A tour of local schools featuring those who see illegal poaching and its effects up close in Africa could help reduce the demand endangering the species.
Melania Trump, on her first extended solo trip as US first lady, visited a national park on Friday to highlight wildlife conservation efforts.
Melania Trump, on her first extended solo trip as US first lady, visited a national park on Friday to highlight wildlife conservation efforts.
A recent ivory jewellery brand launch in Singapore, which turned out to be a publicity stunt by the WWF, highlights a shortcoming in the nation’s law that allows trade in ‘old’ ivory and opens the door for illegal new ivory.
A recent ivory jewellery brand launch in Singapore, which turned out to be a publicity stunt by the WWF, highlights a shortcoming in the nation’s law that allows trade in ‘old’ ivory and opens the door for illegal new ivory.
The breakthrough realisation that different tusks from the same animal were often passing through the same port helps bolster the criminal cases against the smugglers.
The breakthrough realisation that different tusks from the same animal were often passing through the same port helps bolster the criminal cases against the smugglers.
While China stopped the sale of ivory last year, Hong Kong’s gradual approach will only see it outlawed in December 2021.
While China stopped the sale of ivory last year, Hong Kong’s gradual approach will only see it outlawed in December 2021.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Jackie Chan, David Beckham, Yao Ming, and Lupita Nyong’o, and now Po Ping, lend their star power to WildAid campaign against the illegal trade in animal parts from ivory to rhino horn and shark fins.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Jackie Chan, David Beckham, Yao Ming, and Lupita Nyong’o, and now Po Ping, lend their star power to WildAid campaign against the illegal trade in animal parts from ivory to rhino horn and shark fins.
Adventurers in northern Russia are on the hunt for ivory from extinct woolly mammoths in the melting permafrost. Once excavated, the tusks are sold to dealers in Hong Kong as a replacement for elephant ivory.
Adventurers in northern Russia are on the hunt for ivory from extinct woolly mammoths in the melting permafrost. Once excavated, the tusks are sold to dealers in Hong Kong as a replacement for elephant ivory.