Protecting elephants

Ivory trade is the main driver of the current catastrophic levels of elephant poaching. Our groundbreaking investigations have repeatedly documented the extent of the problem. We have identified the transnational criminal groups behind the trafficking of illegal ivory, exposed the corruption that facilitates their work and played a major role in shutting down ivory trade. We continue to work for the closure of all domestic and international markets.

中文版本 (Chinese version)

The problem

The African savannah elephant in East and Southern Africa and the African forest elephant in West and Central Africa are in decline across much of their range, primarily due to poaching to feed the ivory trade. Asian elephants are also in serious decline.

Organised transnational criminal syndicates are involved in the ivory trade, fuelling corruption and conflict, and undermining the rule of law. Along with habitat loss and human-elephant conflict over diminishing resources, the ivory trade threatens the survival of these keystone species whose decline will in turn have a serious impact on the future of healthy ecosystems and economies.

  • 2018

    Our long running campaign (in partnership with other NGOs) led to

    UK ivory ban being introduced
  • 2017

    We produced a best-practice tool in nine different languages

    Supporting enforcement agencies
  • Since 2002

    Our undercover investigators have infiltrated ivory networks leading to

    Enforcement action being taken

Moving forward

Our aim is to reduce the threat posed by the ivory trade to elephant populations. We continue to work towards the closure of domestic and international ivory markets and to advocate for a more effective multi-sectoral response in disrupting the transnational criminal networks and the corruption that facilitate the illegal ivory trade.

Wherever possible, we work with partners at all levels to complement their efforts and provide information, technical capacity and expertise as appropriate.