Ivory has been a coveted material for centuries, prized for its beauty, versatility and status symbol. Once obtained mainly from elephants, ivory use has led to drastic declines in elephant populations across Africa and Asia. While the international ivory trade has been banned since 1989, demand still drives a thriving black market supplied by poaching. Understanding where this demand comes from is key to elephant conservation efforts.
Current Status of Elephants and the Ivory Trade
Elephant numbers have dropped precipitously in recent decades due to poaching for ivory. African elephant populations declined by an estimated 111,000 from 2006 to 2015. Asian elephant numbers have fallen by at least 50% over the last three generations. Today there are estimated to be about 400,000 African elephants and 40,000-50,000 Asian elephants left globally.
The international commercial ivory trade has been banned under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) since 1989. But poaching and illegal trafficking persist to supply markets in Asia, notably China and Thailand, and elsewhere around the world. Low conviction rates for smugglers and traffickers allow the black market to thrive.
Key Ivory Consuming Countries
China
China is widely considered to be the world’s largest ivory market today. Prior to 2017, China had at least 34 legal ivory processing factories and 130 licensed retail shops. Reports found legal markets served as cover for illegal ivory. Smuggling of tusks and products from Africa was common, with organized criminal syndicates controlling the trade.
After pressure to impose a total ban, China shut down its domestic ivory market at the end of 2017. However, some illegal sales continue, both within China and across its borders. Surveys found many Chinese consumers were unaware of the ban or still planned to buy ivory. Seizures of smuggled ivory at Chinese ports of entry remain high. The black market persists but has moved underground.
Other Asian Markets
Several other Asian nations have significant ivory demand and contribute to poaching in Africa. These include:
Thailand – Thailand has the second largest ivory market in Asia. While illegal, ivory is commonly found at markets in Bangkok. Much of this ivory is bought by Chinese tourists. The Thai government has pledged to clamp down on the trade but enforcement remains weak.
Vietnam – Vietnam has one of the world’s largest illegal ivory markets. Most tusks are smuggled in from African countries. Vietnam made modest efforts to control ivory sales ahead of a CITES meeting in 2016, but the black market remains active.
Philippines – The Philippines is both a consumer of ivory (mostly for carvings) and a transit point for smuggled ivory to China and the United States. While ivory sales were banned in the country in 2013, they still occur openly. In 2016, the Philippines crushed and burned 5 tons of seized ivory tusks to denounce illegal trade.
Hong Kong – Hong Kong is a gateway for smuggled ivory into mainland China. It has the highest retail prices for ivory in the world. Despite bans on the ivory trade in China and Hong Kong, tourist numbers enable ivory sales to persist.
Japan – Japan has historically been the biggest importer of ivory from Africa. While it introduced regulations prior to the 1989 global ban, ivory continues to be produced and sold legally within the country. Critics say Japan’s domestic market encourages illegal imports from Asia and Africa.
United States
The United States is the world’s second largest consumer of illegal ivory, after China. Most ivory comes in illegally from China. Prior to 2016, it was legal to sell imported antique ivory objects, providing cover for illegal ivory. The US now prohibits all ivory trade except antiques over 100 years old, certain musical instruments and firearms with ivory details. Illegal sales likely still occur under this limited exemption.
European Union
EU countries such as the United Kingdom and France have nominally banned ivory sales but still have small, persisting demand. Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain have been identified as countries of concern with active ivory markets. Within Europe, ivory can be freely transported across borders between countries, enabling traffickers to sell in markets where ivory fetches the highest prices.
Factors Driving Demand
What factors underpin the ongoing demand for ivory in these regions?
Economic Growth in Asia
Rising affluence in East Asia, especially China, enabled more consumers to buy ivory products. To these new middle and upper classes, ivory signified status and wealth. By the 2010s, China was likely the world’s largest market for both legal and illegal ivory. Purchasing ivory remains a way for nouveau riche Chinese to demonstrate their economic advancement.
Investment Potential
Many buyers, particularly in China, view ivory as a financial investment expected to increase in value and hedge against inflation. This mindset fueled speculative buying which drove up prices, further incentivizing the black market.
Tourist Shopping
Thais, Chinese and citizens of other Asian countries are major buyers of ivory souvenirs and trinkets while traveling abroad in Africa and Asia. Tourists purchasing worked ivory products is a large contributor to local ivory markets in places like Thailand and Hong Kong.
Cultural Tradition
Ivory carving has a long history in many Asian cultures. Using ivory for decorative artworks, figurines, chopsticks and signature seals remains an esteemed tradition. This engenders continued demand – even illegal – for raw ivory to supply artisans and craft industries today.
Lax Enforcement
Where ivory bans exist on paper, lack of enforcement enables black market ivory sales to flourish. Open ivory markets in countries like Thailand and the Philippines persist. Most smugglers and traffickers face minimal to no punishment. Without enforcement priority, existing national and international bans have limited impact.
Legal Loopholes
Legal loopholes also drive illicit markets in places like Japan, Hong Kong and the US. Regulated legal ivory systems can serve as cover for illegal ivory to be laundered into commercial markets. Criminals exploit loopholes around antiques, musical instruments and other exceptions.
Forecasts for Ivory Demand
What is the future outlook for ivory demand in key regions? Some possible trends include:
Decline in China
China’s total ban in 2017 should gradually reduce demand and prices. But established cultural attitudes and investment incentives will limit how rapidly markets decline. Enforcement challenges also persist.
Increase in Other Asian Markets
As China cracked down, more ivory was directed to alternate markets like Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. African savannah elephant poaching rates remained high after China’s ban, suggesting displacement rather than an overall drop in demand.
Growth in Online Sales
To avoid detection, more ivory trade is shifting online, including on social media platforms. This masks transactions and makes enforcement against illegal online markets more difficult.
Continued US Demand
Legal loopholes will likely allow black market ivory sales to continue in the US, unless enforcement is prioritized. Demand from enthusiasts and collectors will probably endure.
Persistence in Japan and Hong Kong
Legal domestic ivory markets in Japan, Hong Kong and elsewhere will continue to enable illegal ivory to be laundered into legal commercial channels. Fundamental policy changes are required to end this problem.
Strategies to Curb Ivory Demand
Conserving elephants ultimately requires reducing consumer demand for ivory. Possible approaches include:
– Public awareness campaigns on poaching impacts
– Severe penalties for ivory smugglers and traffickers
– Banning all ivory sales, including within a country
– Law enforcement crackdowns on local ivory markets
– Monitoring online sales and social media closely
– Ivory buy-backs and amnesties
– Outreach to key consumer groups like investors
– Promoting sustainable alternatives to ivory
Targeting both supply and demand is critical to disrupt the illegal ivory trade and ensure the survival of elephant populations into the future.
Conclusion
Ivory poaching and trafficking continues to threaten elephants globally, despite international trade bans. The largest ivory demand comes from major Asian countries like China and Thailand, as well as the United States. Though difficult to dismantle, active ivory markets persist, driven by economic growth, investment outlooks, tourist shopping and lax enforcement. Closing loopholes in domestic ivory trade bans and launching consumer-focused initiatives to reduce demand are needed as part of comprehensive efforts to conserve elephants. With the future of elephants at stake, identifying and responding to shifting ivory demand hotspots will remain a key challenge in the fight against poaching.
