Ban it and keep on banning it … the high cost to elephants of restarting legal ivory trade

What on Earth?

Last week, Zimbabwe hosted what it called an ‘Elephant Summit’ for itself and several other African nations – including Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia – with the aim of restarting the legal international trade in ivory and selling off their stockpiled elephant tusks.

And in sharp juxtaposition to this potentially lethal movie, the UK Ivory Act is due to come into effect next week, banning virtually all trade in ivory in the country.

In this episode, EIA Senior Wildlife Campaigner Lindsey Smith and Wildlife Campaigner Rachel Mackenna take a look at these latest developments affecting elephant conservation and consider likely next steps.