UK - Ivory Trade Ban Finally In Effect

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After the ban was initially approved in 2018, the Ivory Trade Ban has finally come in to effect throughout the United Kingdom; a crucial and important step in protecting endangered elephants. The law will see fines of up to 250, 000 pounds or jail terms of up to 5 years for Ivory trade convictions. This much needed law will end loopholes that have plagued the legal ivory trade by allowing the black market to thrive under the radar and will only allow ivory sales under limited exemptions.

Elephants have long been imperiled by the actions of humans; in fact, every single one of the perils they face can be directly traced back to humanity.

HABITAT LOSS

As human populations continue to grow, more land is needed for everything from housing to farmland and animal agriculture. This land is obviously taken from wild animals like elephants who are then relegated to even smaller habitats. 

HUMAN CONFLICTS

Elephants who wander in to communities are often met with hostility as they trample crops and destroy weak infrastructure. Unfortunately, as human populations continue to grow, this will become more commonplace, further putting elephants in danger.

TROPHY HUNTING

Trophy hunting continues to play a part in the decimation of elephants. Despite organizers making claims of profits benefitting local communities, it doesn't offset the fact that elephants are in peril and the very last thing we should be doing is allowing rich, perverted people to shoot and kill them for a good time. How can we continue to allow such a travesty when elephants continue to suffer?

IVORY POACHING

Elephants are regularly poached for their tusks which continue to hold a staggering value on the black market. Tusks are made into novelty items like trinkets, jewelry, and home decor items. Despite overwhelming global support for a total ban on ivory altogether, it continues to be a problem for elephants.

With all of the perils elephants legally face in the wild at the hands of our decisions, we must do everything we can to tackle the illegal slaughter of wild elephants. Banning ivory is one of the most important steps an individual country can make in committing to elephant welfare. Ivory belongs on elephants and nowhere else and without global cooperation in banning and disposing of ivory, elephants will continue to be poached by people desperate for financial gain.

Congratulations to the United Kingdom for enacting the Ivory Trade Ban and sending out the clear message that poaching elephants for ivory is despicable, unnecessary, and deserving of jail time. My hope is now that other countries who have yet to enact any kind of ivory bans will join the United Kingdom to preserve a future for elephants.

HAPPY VEG