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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
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Results for ivory trade
10 results foundAuthor: International Fund for Animal Welfare Title: Elephants on the High Street: An Investigation into Ivory Trade in the UK Summary: This report highlights the difficulties of controlling the ivory trade, even in a country with more capacity for law enforcement than most other countries, and the implications this has for the proposed ivory stockpile sales. Details: Yarmouth Port, MA: 2004. 41p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2004 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 119228 Keywords: Illegal TradeIvory TradeWildlife SmugglingWildlife Trade (U.K.) |
Author: International Fund for Animal Welfare Title: Stopping Illegal Wildlife Trade Summary: Experts estimate that the demand for wildlife products such as tiger bone and elephant ivory is pushing some species to the brink of extinction. Elephants, tigers, and other animals with declining populations need legal protection from the trade in wildlife and wildlife products - with international collaboration in law enforcement. They need protection from poaching. They need consumers to reject wildlife products. Wild animals deserve a place in our future. IFAW believes that wild animals belong in the wild, not in commercial trade. This document offers statistics on such trade, and suggests countermeasures as well as other information about combating the illegal wildlife trade. Details: Yarmouth Port, MA: International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), 2011. 9p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 22, 2012 at http://www.ifaw.org/sites/default/files/wildlife_trade_us_0.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.ifaw.org/sites/default/files/wildlife_trade_us_0.pdf Shelf Number: 126099 Keywords: Crimes Against the EnvironmentIllegal TradeIvory TradeWildlife SmugglingWildlife Trade |
Author: International Fund for Animal Welfare Title: Killing with Keystrokes 2.0: IFAW's investigation into the European online ivory trade Summary: Killing with Keystrokes 2.0: IFAW's investigation into the European online ivory trade surveyed websites in the UK, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and Germany, and found a thriving in trade in ivory items the legality of most of which is questionable. In just two weeks, our survey found more than 660 items with a total advertising value of almost €650,000.00 across a variety of European websites. A shocking 98 per cent of adverts failed to comply with website policies or provide evidence of legality. Details: Yarmouth Port, MA: International Fund for Animal Welfare, 2011. 11p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 22, 2012 at http://www.ifaw.org/sites/default/files/FINAL%20Killing%20with%20Keystrokes%202.0%20report%202011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.ifaw.org/sites/default/files/FINAL%20Killing%20with%20Keystrokes%202.0%20report%202011.pdf Shelf Number: 126100 Keywords: Endangered SpeciesIllegal TradeIllegal Wildlife TradeInternet CrimeIvory TradeWildlife Trade, Elephants |
Author: Xu, Y. Title: An Act to Save African Elephants: A Ban on Commercial Ivory Trade in China, A Feasibility Study Briefing Summary: Africa's elephants are in crisis. The population of African elephants today are at a record low, with fewer than 500,000 individuals left in the wild, declining from 1.2 million individuals in 1981. The contemporary poaching crisis consolidated in 2010 and since then elephant poaching has escalated to unsustainable levels, leading to a year- on-year decline in many elephant populations - In some parts of Africa, localised extinctions of elephants are actually occurring. The illegal ivory trade is persistent and increasingly well-organised. Reports based on ivory seizures indicate that the volume of illegal ivory trade has tripled since 2007 - Meanwhile, the African elephant crisis has stirred the attention of the international community, which in turn has recognized that an historic opportunity to take actions to save Africa's most iconic species is at hand. This sense of commitment has resonated also in China. In May 2015, the head of China's State Forestry Administration announced that "we will strictly control ivory processing and trade until the commercial processing and sale of ivory and its products are eventually halted". In September 2015, during a State visit to the U.S., Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Barrack Obama jointly committed to enact nearly complete bans on ivory import and export, including significant and timely restrictions on the import of ivory as hunting trophies, and to take significant and timely steps to halt the domestic commercial trade of ivory. - Following this momentum, the Chinese government issued a temporary ban on all ivory imports for commercial purposes in March 2016. China has one of the largest illegal ivory markets in the world - Since 2002, the reports of the Elephant Trade Information System to CITES have consistently identified China as the leading destination for ivory globally. China's actions, more than those of any other country, have the potential to reverse the rising trends of elephant poaching and illegal ivory trafficking and have a significant impact on the future survival of African elephants. Therefore, the aim of this current briefing is to provide independent advice and recommendations to the Chinese Government on a possible option that China can consider to address the global problem of illegal ivory trade - a ban on commercial ivory trade in the country. The country's existing ivory trade controls and law enforcement system are examined, in light of the current ivory market in China, as well as the likely impact an ivory trade ban could have. In producing this briefing, WWF and TRAFFIC believe that China can be a leading global example, and provide "best practices" for creating sound policy approaches and time-frames for implementation that will maximize impact on illegal trade and enhance the conservation of elephants. This briefing is a rapid evaluation based on existing knowledge derived from TRAFFIC's monitoring work of the Chinese ivory market. While this is not a comprehensive study, this briefing does outline issues to take into account when examining the need, feasibility and possible implementation challenges involved when considering a ban on commercial ivory trade in China, as well as some next steps needed towards that end. An effective ivory trade ban in the Chinese context will require careful consideration of the particular regulatory mechanisms and implementation structures and processes that will define and support the new domestic policy. WWF and TRAFFIC fully intend to augment this initial briefing document with further in depth studies. Details: Beijing, China: WWF and TRAFFIC, 2016. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: WWF Briefing: Accessed September 29, 2016 at: www.wwfchina.org Year: 2016 Country: China URL: www.wwfchina.org Shelf Number: 140510 Keywords: Animal PoachingElephantsIllegal Ivory TradeIllicit TradeIvory TradeWildlife Crime |
Author: Martin, Scott Title: Feasibility Study on the Ban of Hong Kong's Ivory Trade Summary: Just days after the Hong Kong government published its draft five-year timetable to end the domestic ivory trade, WWF today published a legal research report confirming that an ivory ban could be put in place within two years under current Hong Kong law. Commissioned by WWF and conducted by Hong Kong barrister Tim Parker and international consultancy Global Rights Compliance LLP, the Feasibility Study on the Ban of Hong Kong's Ivory Trade concludes that the government could within 6 months halt the practice of issuing new licenses to sell ivory and follow this with legislation to end the trade completely by 2018 - earlier than the government's proposal to outlaw the trade by 2021 "WWF welcomes the government's draft timetable but we believe that an ivory ban in Hong Kong could be legally enacted sooner," said Gavin Edwards, Conservation Director at WWF Hong Kong. "WWF understands that the government's 'five year plan' has been adjusted out of concern for ivory traders and legislatures and that a rushed legislative plan could risk backfiring, while our legal analysis shows that it can be completed within two years." Apart from the speed of the legislative process, WWF's legal analysis is largely consistent with the government's draft proposal and agrees with the key principle that the authorities do not need to compensate ivory traders for their remaining stocks - finding that the proposed ban does not infringe the "right to compensation for lawful deprivation of "property" as protected by Article 105 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR. Traders who chose to speculate over the past 26 years ago - since the international ivory trade started to come under regulation in 1976 and was banned in 1990 - by buying up elephant ivory on the grounds that it was a good investment have no legal grounds to claim compensation. Worse, it may even create a perverse incentive to smuggle ivory into Hong Kong to try and 'cash in' on any compensation scheme, thus creating further challenges for Hong Kong customs authorities. Back in 1990 when the ban on international ivory trade came into force, the Hong Kong government successfully re-trained hundreds of ivory carvers and workers. One of Hong Kong's ex-ivory crafters "Uncle Lee", explains that "there are barely any ivory crafters left in Hong Kong". Mr Lee was a full-time ivory carver in the 1970s who exited the profession in the 1990s. The authorities should explore suitable assistance measures for the few remaining ivory carvers who might be affected by the proposed ban. Details: Surrey, UK: Global Rights Compliance LLP, 2016. 123p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 29, 2016 at: http://awsassets.wwfhk.panda.org/downloads/full_grc_report___hk_ivory_1.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Hong Kong URL: http://awsassets.wwfhk.panda.org/downloads/full_grc_report___hk_ivory_1.pdf Shelf Number: 140517 Keywords: ElephantsIllegal Wildlife TradeIvory TradeWildlife Crime |
Author: Crosta, Andrea Title: The White Gold of Jihad: Al-Shabaab and the Illegal Ivory Trade Summary: Coordinated bomb attacks in Kampala, Uganda, on 11th July 2010, claimed the lives of 76 people as they watched the World Cup final and catapulted the terrorist group responsible, Somalia's al-Shabaab, onto the world stage. The threat presented by this militant Islamist group with close links to al-Qaeda dominated recent African Union talks in Uganda and has prompted moves to strengthen the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia. But while attention is focused on sending more troops into the war-torn country, little attention is being paid to the ways in which al-Shabaab - a hard line, well-organized and compartmentalized organization - is financing its activities. Over the last 18 months, we've been investigating the involvement of al-Shabaab in trafficking ivory through Kenya, a trade that could be supplying up to 40% of the funds needed to pay salaries to its fighters. Kenya is no stranger to the threat posed by Somalia to its herds of elephants and rhinos, whose numbers are still recovering from the poaching onslaught suffered in the 1970s and ‘80s. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is constantly on the alert for incursions of Somali gangs – or bandits as locals call them – into the country's north eastern territory to poach elephants and rhinos. In 2007, 3 rangers died at the hands of Somali bandits as they crossed the Tana River on their way to Tsavo National Park. The incursion was halted but the cost in human life was high. All too often, however, the bandits slip across the border undetected, in their quest for the white trophy that is ivory. One can try to recount the poacher’s steps as they make their way to Meru National Park, east of Mount Kenya. In the early hours of the morning, a small group of elephants led by their matriarch approach a waterhole, unaware that three bandits are hiding just a few meters away, their AK-47 automatic rifles ready for action. With tusks worth nearly 3500 KSh or nearly US$50 per kilo, the elephants offer a lucrative prize to these trained ex-soldiers of Somali origin, desperate to make a living. The elephants begin to bathe in the mud of the waterhole. They have an acute sense of smell so the bandits know they have to act swiftly before the elephants can react to the threat of danger. The leader signals to the others as they fix their sights on the matriarch and a large male standing hunched together – the three calves won’t fetch enough money for them to bother with. A burst of automatic fire drops the two elephants instantly to the ground. The matriarch is fatally wounded but still alive as the bandits hack out her tusks, watched helplessly by the young calves. Shocked and traumatised, they will have little chance of surviving alone. The bandits load their prize and head out to safety. The leader takes out his cell phone and writes a quick message, ‘brother we have some goods to deliver, around 40 kilos, contact our cousins and lets make the deal’. In a Nairobi restaurant, a cell phone jerks into life and a young well-dressed Somali checks the screen. He reads the message carefully and takes out a notepad. The notepad reveals a page full of numbers and quantities in kilos. He marks down the amounts and adds them all together in his head. Using a small Iridium Sat phone he dials a number with a Somali prefix. On the other end, a man sitting in an office in Kismayo, Somalia picks up the call – is office is heavily guarded by Shabaab militiamen – their signature black flag waving on a pole above their heads . He notes down the quantities and sets a date for the pick-up. Unfortunately, poaching incidents likes Meru and illegal trafficking in ivory are still rampant in Africa. With demand soaring and a market price in Asia of over US$1500 per kilo, for most poaching gangs it is a simple matter of money. Moreover, the desperate political and economic situation in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic (CAR), Somalia or Sudan perpetuates the poaching, which continues to be among the most lucrative criminal activities available. However, in common with other criminal activities involving exploitation of resources and environmental destruction, the poaching is backed and driven by foreign interests, in this case by the flourishing markets in Asia. Today, law enforcement agencies around the continent work together with INTERPOL and other international agencies, such as the Lusaka Agreement Task Force, to fight the illegal trade in wildlife and to implement rules agreed under CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. It is well known that criminal syndicates are involved in the trade, using sophisticated smuggling methods, bribing port personnel and customs officials, and using their own entrepreneurial activities as a cover for their smuggling operations. For the last twenty years, Kenya has led the war against trade in ivory and rhino horn. Established in 1989, the KWS has been in the forefront not only of actively protecting Kenya’s wildlife and national parks, but also in investigating and arresting felons, and in international negotiations under CITES to try to maintain a ban on international trade in the face of strong opposition. Surrounded by porous borders, Kenya has long been a transit point for illegal ivory. In an attempt to crack down on this trade, KWS recently stepped up pressure at the country's ports and airports where ivory is smuggled out. As a result, dealers looking for fast money and an easier market have turned to a new player in the game – Al Shabaab. Details: Los Angeles: Elephant Action League, 2016. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 6, 2017 at: https://elephantleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Report-Ivory-al-Shabaab-Oct2016.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Africa URL: https://elephantleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Report-Ivory-al-Shabaab-Oct2016.pdf Shelf Number: 146409 Keywords: Animal PoachingElephantsIllegal IvoryIllegal TradeIvory TradeTerrorist FinancingTrafficking in WildlifeWildlife Crime |
Author: Hubschle, Annette Michaela Title: The Groenewald Criminal Network: Background, legislative loopholes and recommendations Summary: This paper provides a brief perspective of the Groenewald gang in the broader wildlife crime context before assessing whether the case presents an exception or a common trend. In a second step, the legislative and institutional loopholes are discussed. The paper also assesses whether regulators are aware of the scheme and what measures have been taken to address this. Finally, an assessment is made whether "gray" nodes (legal players who participate in illegal activities) are dealt within the most expedient manner and what lessons could be learned from the model Details: Bogota: VORTEX Foundations, 2017. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: The Global Observatory of Transnational Criminal Networks - Research Paper No. 11. VORTEX Working Papers No. 25: Accessed July 5, 2017 at: Year: 2017 Country: International URL: http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/522e46_eb15f7ef5f0544018473f4a8f003206e.pdf Shelf Number: 146504 Keywords: Animal PoachingCriminal NetworksIvory TradeOrganized CrimeRhinoceros Wildlife Crime |
Author: Goga, Khalil Title: The Rhino Horn Trafficking Network of the Groenewald Gang Summary: This document presents the model of a criminal network engaged in poaching and trafficking of rhino horn. After the exposition of the methodology and the most relevant concepts related to Social Network Analysis, the third part of the document includes information about the present case and the sources consulted for elaborating the model. In the fourth part the results informing about the characteristics of the criminal network are presented: (i) The types of agents, (ii) the types of interactions established, (iii) the agents with the highest capacity to arbitrate information in the network and (iv) the agents with the highest concentration of direct interactions. In the fifth part, conclusions are discussed. Details: Bogota: VORTEX Foundation, 2017. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: The Global Observatory of Transnational Criminal Networks - Research Paper No. 10. VORTEX Working Papers No. 24: Accessed July 6, 2017 at: http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/522e46_cd24e4a30ac542d1a68338f22779dfb5.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/522e46_cd24e4a30ac542d1a68338f22779dfb5.pdf Shelf Number: 256505 Keywords: Animal PoachingIvory TradeRhinocerosTrafficking in WildlifeWildlife Crime |
Author: Lau, W. Title: Closing Strategy: Ending Ivory Trade in Hong Kong Summary: Elephant poaching and illegal ivory trade have increased considerably in the past decade. This has occurred despite international control measures through the listing of the Asian Elephant Elephas maximus and African Elephant Loxodonta africana in the appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which restricted the international commercial trade of ivory from 1990. It has resulted in calls for urgent deterrent actions that go beyond CITES requirements, including domestic measures to address the illegal trade. CITES is given effect in Hong Kong through the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) which controls the import, (re-)export and local trade of ivory. Hong Kong was once a prominent trading centre for ivory in the 1970s and 1980s, but the industry contracted considerably following the implementation of CITES trade restrictions in 1990, and waning demand from traditional overseas consumers. However, resurgence in international ivory trade activity in the past decade, both legal and illegal, have also reinvigorated Hong Kong's local ivory market. This has led many conservation advocates to campaign for a ban on ivory trade in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Government's proposal to phase out local ivory trade, which was first announced in January 2016 and developed in June 2016, as well as additional enforcement and licensing measures, would be a significant commitment if passed through Hong Kong's Legislative Council, in line with ambitions in China, the USA and elsewhere to take drastic actions against illegal ivory. This report presents an assessment of commercial ivory trade in Hong Kong. Market surveys of ivory outlets were conducted during two periods-August and December 2015-with a rapid survey in November 2016 revisiting most of the same shops. These surveys occurred during a period when denouncements of the local ivory trade were at their most vocal, with new government measures and the possible cessation of local ivory trade bringing about significant uncertainties for local ivory traders. In this respect, this report captures the market conditions and sentiments at a critical moment in Hong Kong's ivory trading history. In addition, CITES trade data on import and re-export of preConvention ivory from Hong Kong between 2000 and 2015, as well as government seizure reports, were analysed to examine the extent to which Hong Kong plays the role of a trading hub for the international ivory trade, and discrepancies with local sentiments about the state of Hong Kong's ivory industry. Physical market surveys in the two main survey periods in 2015 found that while ivory is still readily available in Hong Kong, the vast majority of ivory retail outlets have to supplement their operations by selling a range of other goods, whether it is mammoth ivory, stone and timber carvings, other precious jewellery or antiques. Dealers generally spoke of a sluggish ivory market at the time of the surveys. When these ivory outlets were revisited in 2016, seven outlets appeared to have closed down for business, and two dealers spoke of plans to downsize by closing branch stores and to focus on the wholesale side of their ivory business. Overall, a consolidation of the market appears to be occurring. Larger specialist outlets were still making sales, but smaller outlets with a few ivory items displayed had fewer active transactions. Local ivory trade is controlled through a licensing system whereby premises have to be licensed before they can commercially trade in pre-ban ivory (pre-1990), and the licence must be displayed on their premises. Market surveys found that only 38% of outlets had licences displayed or had claimed to possess one. When questioned about whether ivory items can be taken out of Hong Kong, 36% of local ivory dealers were willing to sell ivory to buyers intending to depart from Hong Kong, encouraging the smuggling of small ivory items as personal effects without going through the due process of acquiring a CITES permit. 42% of traders accurately mentioned the need to have adequate CITES documentation with their purchase. Outlets that had licences displayed were only slightly less likely to suggest that smaller pieces of ivory might go unnoticed by enforcement authorities if taken across Hong Kong's borders. These findings present the shortcomings in the existing regulatory system, both in terms of compliance with existing regulations, as well as current perceptions of any law enforcement deterrent. According to CITES trade data, a considerable quantity of pre-Convention ivory has been imported into Hong Kong between 2010 and 2014, totalling 6,056 ivory pieces plus 4,554 kg. The majority of these imports were sourced from European countries. More than half of the ivory imported was raw ivory. Meanwhile, declared re-exports of pre-Convention ivory amounted to 323 ivory pieces plus 3,264 kg during the same period. Data from the CITES trade database show that raw ivory re-exports during this time were all destined for mainland China, indicating that the market in China is probably a driver for Hong Kong's raw ivory imports. It is puzzling, however, that part of the inflows of raw ivory into Hong Kong remained in the city, according to CITES data, even though there are no more ivory carving factories in Hong Kong and most carvers only operate on a part-time basis undertaking repair and bespoke work. The current proposal to phase out the local ivory trade, which as of the report's publication has still to be passed by the Hong Kong Legislative Council, will be a monumental step towards ending Hong Kong's once prominent role in the global ivory trade. However, a potential scenario that may develop even before a local trade ban is in place is that it could cause a surge in ivory trade out of Hong Kong. It is pertinent that law enforcement agencies remain vigilant that it does not lead to an increase of illegal trade activities. Several major ivory markets around the world have already imposed restrictions on the import of pre-Convention ivory, which would make Hong Kong's re-exports of ivory to those countries illegal, especially that of mainland China, which has had a blanket import ivory ban in place since 2016. Online ivory trade could be one method by which ivory dealers attempt to liquidate their stock, and much greater effort is required of Hong Kong's enforcement agencies to work with social media and e-commerce platforms to prevent illegal ivory transactions from taking place. Current plans to maintain an antique ivory trade, which would restrict trade to only a small pool of ivory items in Hong Kong, should also be monitored closely in future to prevent the laundering of non-antique ivory, or inadvertently encourage consumer demand for that ivory. The report recommends that the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) take the following actions immediately to improve management of local ivory trade in Hong Kong while the trade is being phased out: - Assess the status, use and possible re-export of pre-Convention raw ivory that has been legally imported into Hong Kong in recent years, through follow up with licensed traders that had imported the items; - Ensure that aggregate figures and trends in Hong Kong's ivory stockpiles are published in the public domain not more than two months after year end, with a high degree of data resolution that includes quantities of raw/worked ivory, quantities by weight class, and types of ivory products; - Develop information circulars on recent legislative changes and domestic measures in key trading markets such as China, Europe and the USA, to make certain that licensed ivory dealers in Hong Kong are aware of the rapidly evolving changes to international and domestic trade measures, particularly new restrictions that are either now in place or being planned; - Require ivory traders to display an AFCD notice and poster in all licensed premises, and increase enforcement of this requirement so that potential customers have the means to identify lawful practices prior to the implementation of the proposed phase out plan; - Clarify with licensed ivory dealers the conditions for selling through online platforms. In addition, the Hong Kong SAR Government is encouraged to implement the following measures to tackle illegal ivory trade: - Following the example of China's implementation of its ivory ban, Hong Kong should hasten the local ivory trade phase out process, starting with the cessation of ivory possession licences being issued or renewed, in order to lessen the opportunity for laundering of illegal ivory from other markets into Hong Kong if a long grace period was provided; - Require regular monthly reporting of transactions by licensed ivory dealers to AFCD, which would enable ivory stock movements to be closely tracked; - Expand the current hologram system forlabelling registered ivory to allregistered stockpiles, for all commercial pre-ban ivory over 100 g, to minimise confusion about product legality for consumers; - Regulate the trade in antique ivory with a product marking and record keeping system so that future antique ivory trade can be managed and overseen by government authorities; - Review Hong Kong's stockpile management system for confiscated ivory, ensuring that there is a system in place for electronic record-keeping, safe storage and periodic audit of stockpiles. - Enhance co-operation of law enforcement agencies on wildlife crimes, including working with overseas counterparts and taking advantage of innovative communication and information sharing models that exist in other regions of the world, as well as local co-operation between AFCD, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Customs and Excise Department through joint operations and skills training; - Review maximum penalties for wildlife crimes to levels that reflect the seriousness of organized criminal involvement; - In line with the CITES Resolution on Demand Reduction (Resolution Conf. 17.4), develop supportive policies to encourage evidence-based strategies and campaigns targeting specific consumer groups to change behaviours about the consumption of ivory. Details: Hong Kong: Traffic, 2017. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed march 20, 2018 at: http://www.trafficj.org/publication/17_Closing_Strategy_HK.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Hong Kong URL: http://www.trafficj.org/publication/17_Closing_Strategy_HK.pdf Shelf Number: 149541 Keywords: Animal PoachingElephantsIllegal TradeIvoryIvory TradeWildlife ConservationWildlife Crime |
Author: Underwood, F.M. Title: Dissecting the Illegal Ivory Trade: An Analysis of Ivory Seizures Data Summary: Reliable evidence of trends in the illegal ivory trade is important for informing decision making for elephants but it is difficult to obtain due to the covert nature of the trade. The Elephant Trade Information System, a global database of reported seizures of illegal ivory, holds the only extensive information on illicit trade available. However inherent biases in seizure data make it difficult to infer trends; countries differ in their ability to make and report seizures and these differences cannot be directly measured. We developed a new modelling framework to provide quantitative evidence on trends in the illegal ivory trade from seizures data. The framework used Bayesian hierarchical latent variable models to reduce bias in seizures data by identifying proxy variables that describe the variability in seizure and reporting rates between countries and over time. Models produced bias-adjusted smoothed estimates of relative trends in illegal ivory activity for raw and worked ivory in three weight classes. Activity is represented by two indicators describing the number of illegal ivory transactions - Transactions Index - and the total weight of illegal ivory transactions - Weights Index - at global, regional or national levels. Globally, activity was found to be rapidly increasing and at its highest level for 16 years, more than doubling from 2007 to 2011 and tripling from 1998 to 2011. Over 70% of the Transactions Index is from shipments of worked ivory weighing less than 10 kg and the rapid increase since 2007 is mainly due to increased consumption in China. Over 70% of the Weights Index is from shipments of raw ivory weighing at least 100 kg mainly moving from Central and East Africa to Southeast and East Asia. The results tie together recent findings on trends in poaching rates, declining populations and consumption and provide detailed evidence to inform international decision making on elephants. Details: S.L., 2013. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 21, 2019 at: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0076539 Year: 2013 Country: International URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0076539&type=printable Shelf Number: 155956 Keywords: Environmental CrimeIllegal IvoryIllicit TradeIvory TradePoachingSeizuresWildlife Crime |