Ivory trade

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Fang traders with ivory

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Tauschhandel Grossfriedrichsburg 1690

Ivory trade

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Ivory 1880s

Ivorymasks

Ivory trade refers to the commercial, often illegal, buying and selling of ivory, which is extracted from the tusks and teeth of animals, primarily elephants. The demand for ivory has led to significant declines in the populations of these animals, especially elephants, making the ivory trade a major conservation issue.

History

The ivory trade has a long history, dating back thousands of years. Ivory has been valued for its beauty, durability, and ease of carving, making it a preferred material for art, jewelry, and various decorative items. Historically, ivory was sourced from several species, including the African elephant (Loxodonta africana), the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), and the extinct woolly mammoth. The trade reached its peak in the 19th and early 20th centuries, driven by demand in Europe and North America.

Impact on Elephant Populations

The demand for ivory has had a devastating impact on elephant populations. In the 20th century, the African elephant population declined from several million at the beginning of the century to less than 500,000 by the end. The Asian elephant, which has always been less numerous, has also suffered significant declines. This drastic reduction in numbers is largely attributed to poaching for ivory, habitat loss, and human-elephant conflict.

International Regulation

In response to the critical threat posed by the ivory trade to elephant populations, the international community has taken steps to regulate and, in many cases, ban the trade. The most significant of these measures is the listing of elephants in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1989, which effectively banned the international trade in ivory. However, illegal poaching and trade continue, driven by demand in markets where ivory is still valued for cultural, religious, or status reasons.

Controversies and Challenges

The ivory trade is subject to ongoing controversy and challenges. Some countries and stakeholders argue for regulated trade to support elephant conservation, suggesting that revenues from ivory sales could fund conservation efforts. Others oppose any form of trade, arguing that it provides cover for illegal activities and stimulates demand. The debate also includes discussions on the management of existing ivory stockpiles, with some advocating for their destruction as a statement against the ivory trade and others for their use in regulated sales.

Conservation Efforts

Conservation efforts to combat the ivory trade include anti-poaching measures, protected areas, and international cooperation to enforce trade bans and prosecute illegal traders. Public awareness campaigns aim to reduce demand for ivory by highlighting the conservation crisis facing elephants. Additionally, some countries have taken steps to close their domestic ivory markets in an effort to further reduce demand.

See Also

• Elephant conservation
• Wildlife trafficking
• Endangered species

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