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"WORLD'S LARGEST IVORY MARKET WILL END ALL LEGAL TRADING IN LATE 2017"

 According to state media, China will ban all domestic ivory trade and processing by the end of 2017, in a move hailed by activists as a significant milestone in the mission to saving Africa's elephants.  African ivory is a highly sought after commodity in China where it is seen as a status symbol and prices for a kilogram (2.2 pounds) can reach as much as $1,100 USD.  The announcement to halt the ivory market follows Beijing's move in March of last year when the country widened a ban on imports of all ivory and ivory products acquired before 1975 after pressure from numerous groups reached a crescendo.  “This is great news that will shut down the world’s largest market for elephant ivory,” Aili Kang, executive director of the Wildlife Conservation Society in Asia, said in a statement. “I am very proud of my country for showing this leadership that will help ensure that elephants have a fighting chance to beat extinction. This is a gamechanger for Africa’s elephants.”  It is estimated that more than 20,000 elephants were killed for their ivory last year alone, with similar tolls in previous years. According to the WWF campaign group, only 415,000 of the animals remain.  The move has been praised by numerous animal activists groups, however in reality, this is only the first step in the arduous process. What will likely follow is a wave of illegal ivory that will need to be stamped down by a system infamous for corruption and weak rule of law while increases for ivory will likely follow in countries and regions where the commodity is still deemed legal.

Image Credit: User NH53 via Flickr