The WWF Reports New Ivory Ban in China

 


For more than two decades, Christopher J. Scott has been working in the entertainment industry. A graduate of the University of Central Florida, he is the co-founder and serves as a managing member of Domicile Films, LLC. Dedicated to helping his community, Christopher J. Scott supports the WWF’s Save the Elephants initiative.

The WWF has been protecting nature’s future for over five decades and it focuses on many specific areas and animal species, including elephants. Recently, the organization released information about China’s plan to ban domestic ivory trading. This announcement was made at the end of 2016 and the ban is expected to take effect in 2017. It is hoped that the new regulations will help end elephant poaching around the world by decreasing the demand for elephant ivory in China.

China’s ban came on the heels of the United States’ ban on its domestic ivory trade. Former President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping agreed to impose a near-total ban on elephant ivory in their respective countries. Before the end of 2016, the US had finalized regulations to help shut down the elephant ivory trade and halt wildlife crime across the world.

It is estimated that 20,000 to 30,000 African elephants are killed every year for their tusks. While the problem threatens Asian elephants as well, it is on a smaller scale. Before these bans, the US and China were two of the largest domestic ivory markets in the world. Their agreement to ban domestic ivory is a significant stand in support of elephant conservation.