The Importance of Closing Domestic Ivory Markets

Behind the elephant slaughter is the demand for ivory trinkets, which is justified worldwide by countries' legal domestic markets for elephant ivory products. Legal domestic ivory markets provide major cover for selling illegal elephant ivory, and undercut effective enforcement. Strong leadership globally will be instrumental in closing down these problematic legal ivory markets and removing regulatory loopholes that support the illicit ivory trade. All nations, particularly those with large ivory markets, should implement permanent and comprehensive bans on commercial ivory trade with immediate effect.

EIA has created a two-page briefing on ending the ivory trade to save elephants. Download and read the briefing here.