2017 is starting off with some very exciting news in the wildlife world. China has officially banned the ivory trade and processing activities by the end of 2017! This is a game-changer for elephants and rhinos, especially in Africa, where these animals are hunted down and killed by poachers for their tusks and horns. And China is the largest consumer of ivory, about 70% of the world’s trade goes there. So this is a monumental change.
This will help to slow the decline and possible extinction of elephants. It is estimated that one third of the of Africa’s elephants population has been eradicated by poachers over the last seven years.
And lawmakers weren’t messing around. By this March 31st, commercial processing and sale of ivory must cease, and all registered traders will then be phased out, thereby stopping the market by year’s end. This is an aggressive and welcomed agreement, supported by China itself. This hopefully signals a change in the way animals, especially elephants and rhinos, are viewed in China, and around the world.
What do you think about this ban? We would like to know. Comment below!
