UK ban intends to end elephant ivory trade

UK ban intends to end elephant ivory trade

Trade in elephant ivory has come to an end in the United Kingdom, following the announcement of a near-total ban that’s meant to put a stop to both legal and illegal trafficking in ivory. Britain’s ban, which took immediate effect Monday, covers ivory of any age rather than restricting the…

Singapore seizes illegal pangolin scales worth $38.7 million

Singapore seizes illegal pangolin scales worth $38.7 million

Authorities in Singapore say they’ve seized what is the largest illegal shipment of pangolin scales in the world in recent years, after discovering almost 13 tons in a container en route from Nigeria to Vietnam. Customs officials along with the National Parks Board inspected a 40-foot container at the Pasir…

Study: Radiocarbon dating finds illegal ivory in EU markets

A scientific study of ivory traded by dealers across Europe proves that the sales are illegal, according to the activist groups that released the study Tuesday. Avaaz, working with the Elephant Action League, purchased 109 pieces of ivory in 10 countries across Europe in an attempt to demonstrate to European…

Vietnam seizes ivory tusks found in Mozambique timber shipment

Vietnamese officials say they’ve seized about a half-ton of ivory tusks at a Ho Chi Mihn City port, after finding the ivory hidden within a timber shipment from Mozambique. The AFP reports the ivory was discovered as Vietnam Customs Administration officials completed a more extensive search of two shipment crates at…

Botswana holds firm on ivory trade ban at CITES

Bostwana held firmly Monday to its decision to support an ivory trade ban, a move that stood in sharp contrast to that taken by the European Union and those of surprised neighboring African countries gathered at the CITES meeting in Johannesburg. “Although Botswana has previously supported limited trade, we recognize…