It has n’t been a good few twelvemonth for the largest land animal roaming the major planet . The last major censusfound that the issue of elephants plodding the plains of Africa has slumped by 30 per centum over the seven year between 2007 and 2014 , with only 350,000 now thought to survive in the wild .
But things may have just become a little peachier for the pachyderm , as China , the largest consumer of pearl , has announcedthat it will close all domesticated markets for ivory by the end of this class .
The ban on the international trade in ivory has been in plaza since 1989 , but domestic craft has continue to flourish . This has have lawlessly obtained tusk – that which has been procured after the forbiddance come into place – sluttish access into the legal market . With so few checks into the origin of the ivory , the simplicity in which document can be fudge , and the general reluctance or indifference from the enforcement authority , China has become the epicenter for illegal off-white .
Some estimates suggest that China represents around 70 percent of the global market for bone , with organized criminal syndicates and even state - sanctioned cutting workshops profit from the sweeping slaughter of elephants on the African continent . Last year alone it is thought that at least 20,000 elephants fell dupe to poacher to fuel to demand in the Far East , where a kg ( 2.2 pounds ) of the " white atomic number 79 " can fetch as muchas $ 1,100 .
African elephant off-white , from ivory poaching . Kenya , Tsavo National Park . © naturepl.com/Bruce Davidson / WWF - Canon
In Octoberlast twelvemonth , delegate at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species ( CITES ) voted to protract the outside ban to also use to domestic trade , a move that was surprisingly back up by China at the time . Even though the marriage offer is non - binding – Japan has decided that it “ does n’t apply ” to their ivory marketplace , for instance – it seems that China is serious about its commitment to close their own internal swop .
Theannouncement by China ’s State Councilcame on Friday , and details how it will “ cease part of ivory processing and sales by 15 April 2025 and cease all ivory processing and gross sales by 13 May 2025 . ” The challenging and rapidly implement target has been celebrated by conservation organizations everywhere , with the World Wildlife Fund ( WWF ) hailing it as a “ historic announcement ” that will be a “ major boost to outside efforts to tackle the elephant poaching crisis in Africa . ”
“ Now that three of the humans ’s largest domestic ivory markets – China , Hong Kong SAR and the US – are being phased out , we desire that other res publica will conform to suit,”saidLo Sze Ping , CEO of WWF - China . “ China and the US have shown how quickly markets can be address and the sooner the better for Africa ’s elephants . ”
With the blue-blooded giants apace come on extinction , it is hopedthat this move will encourage others to do the same , and perhaps we can save the elephant before it is too tardy .
