Elephant poaching and the ivory trade: The impact of demand reduction and enforcement efforts by China from 2005 – 2017

Zhou, Xuehong; Wang, Qiang; Zhang, Wei; Jin, Yan; Wang, Zhen; Chai, Zhixin; Zhou, Zhiqiang; Cui, Xiaofeng; MacMillan, Douglas C.

doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2018.e00486

Cited by 22 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Any reduction in demand may therefore markedly reduce elephant poaching rates. While the observed changes in demand are consistent with the signals sent by Chinas elephant ivory trade ban and demand reduction campaigns by NGOs 9,17 , falling demand might also be a result of a Chinese economic slowdown 48 . Finally, we suggest that improving law enforcement using conventional methods in many areas might reduce elephant poaching, but reductions in poverty and corruption in communities neighbouring protected areas may have a greater effect and obvious additional benefits.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 71%

“…The evidence for an increase in African elephant ( Loxodonta africana ) poaching since the early 2000s is compelling: seizures of illegal ivory shipments have been rising 4 , core populations both inside and outside protected areas 5 falling by 30% in seven years 6 and the number of dead elephants found poached have increased 7 . Conservation efforts have focussed on demand reduction (China's recent ban on ivory trade is considered a major success 8,9 ) and increased control of supply (e.g. Tanzania's controversial Operation Tokomeza 10 and the call to scale up elephant anti-poaching funds 11 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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African elephant poaching rates correlate with local poverty, national corruption and global ivory price

et al. 2019

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Poaching is contributing to rapid declines in elephant populations across Africa. Following high-profile changes in the political environment, the overall number of illegally killed elephants in Africa seems to be falling, but to evaluate potential conservation interventions we must understand the processes driving poaching rates at local and global scales. Here we show that annual poaching rates in 53 sites strongly correlate with proxies of ivory demand in the main Chinese markets, whereas between-country and between-site variation is strongly associated with indicators of corruption and poverty. Our analysis reveals a recent decline in annual poaching mortality rate from an estimated peak of over 10% in 2011 to <4% in 2017. Based on these findings, we suggest that continued investment in law enforcement could further reduce poaching, but is unlikely to succeed without action that simultaneously reduces ivory demand and tackles corruption and poverty.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 71%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

African elephant poaching rates correlate with local poverty, national corruption and global ivory price

et al. 2019

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“…In the case of ivory, this did not appear to happen. Rather, recognition of the problems caused by the laundering of illegal ivory led the Chinese government to close domestic ivory trade, which led to a reduction in ivory prices in China (Zhou et al., 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recent times, ivory has been advertised as a worthwhile investment, along with art. Consequently, there was growing investment in ivory and art in China (Gao & Clark, 2014), which subsequently waned following intervention by the government of China (Zhou et al., 2018). Unfortunately, the role of stocks and stockpiles in illegal international trade varies by the valuation of the commodity, biology of the species, and the degree and ease to which it can be stored.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The elephant in the room: Madagascar's rosewood stocks and stockpiles

Wilmé

Innes

Schuurman

et al. 2020

CONSERVATION LETTERS

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To prevent the illegal trade in wild species, stock management is critical given stocks function as a buffer to supply chains during lean periods or as a mechanism for market speculation. The Madagascar government with backing by the World Bank recently promoted the sale of confiscated rosewood to reach a zero‐stocks situation. To better assess options, we contrast the risks and rewards of four stock management options. Stock destruction broadcasts a potent conservation message, but provides little economic benefit. National trade can be beneficial to local socioeconomic development goals, but can lead to laundering of illegal products. International trade is fraught with risks related to illegal trade and is perceived to achieve the least related to forest and socioeconomic indicators. Lastly, banking stocks act to postpone decisions. No management option ensures a sustainable solution, but critical analyses allow better insight to the strengths and weaknesses of the available approaches.

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“…Within the museum environment-that in this digital era extends beyond its institutional walls-ivory artworks such as these have the potential to become ambassadorial mouthpieces for elephants. The closure of domestic ivory markets worldwide requires support and encouragement by the global community (Wittemyer 2016;Zhou et al 2018). The colossal public engagement, international ubiquity, and proven influence of art museums suggest they have the ability to reach target demographics and catalyze pro-environmental thought as facilitators of conservation education (Cameron et al 2013).…”

Section: A Global Education: Targeting Key Demographicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elephants never forget, should art museums remember too? Historic ivory collections as ambassadors for conservation education

et al. 2019

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Ivory in art museum collections has been a contentious topic during recent years, with some parties calling for its destruction. But analysis of media reactions to the parallel strategy of burning modern ivory stockpiles may offer insight to the likely effectiveness of that course of action in museums: such burns have seemingly fallen short in sending a clear and enduring message to the intended demographics-be this consumers, dealers, poachers or traffickers. This prompts us to suggest an alternative to the destruction of museum ivory: that art museums with ivory collections take on the challenge and responsibility of imparting powerful conservation messages. This article explores the potential of ivory artworks as educational ambassadors, as well as the international reach of museums to target demographics in key ivory consumer regions such as South East Asia, and the ethical obligations of museums with ivory collections to participate in conservation education. In placing a useful lens on these currently controversial artworks, museum ivory would be endowed with a new critical relevance as educational ambassadors for contemporary conservation issues, simultaneously offering justification for the preservation and display of these historic artworks that many museums are presently reluctant to exhibit. In highlighting the potential of museum ivory as a vehicle for conservation education we highlight the need for heightened holistic collaboration across disciplines to ensure that conservation messages reach diverse audiences in novel and impactful ways.

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Elephant poaching and the ivory trade: The impact of demand reduction and enforcement efforts by China from 2005 – 2017

Cited by 22 publications

References 15 publications

African elephant poaching rates correlate with local poverty, national corruption and global ivory price

African elephant poaching rates correlate with local poverty, national corruption and global ivory price

The elephant in the room: Madagascar's rosewood stocks and stockpiles

Elephants never forget, should art museums remember too? Historic ivory collections as ambassadors for conservation education

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