Massive illegal ivory trade from Burma to China

[LaraOnline]

Further to the fur thread, a big story in the news today was the uncovering of a huge illegal trade in ivory between Burma and China.

http://m.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/mammoth-illicit-ivory-market-uncovered-in-burma/story-e6frg6so-1226801724227#

http://ens-newswire.com/2014/01/13/thousands-of-ivory-pieces-illegally-for-sale-in-myanmar/

I visited Burma for my honeymoon 10 years ago, and was shocked by the open display of ivory.

I am concerned about the increasing demand for these types of materials such as ivory and tiger.

There are only 3000 tigers left on the planet.
Given the last white rhino in captivity had its horn hacked off by poachers, the only chance we have is to change the attitude of the newly wealthy Chinese.

As jewellery lovers, many of us no doubt have seen actual ivory artifacts.
What strikes me about many of these artifacts is their banality. Eg a carved cartoon-like turtle for chrissske !!

A wild animal reduced to an ugly ornament that is of itself worth no more than a passing (nasty, angry, outraged) glance !

 

[partgypsy]

I have also heard of this, that there is increased poaching of wild elephants because of increasing ivory demand (mostly China).

Kind of stuff that makes my heart break : (

 

[LaraOnline]

The methods the poachers use are really cruel.
Often they used nailed boards covered with sand so the animals feet are destroyed.
This is a filthy trade and really those buying should know much better.apparently the money is so big that people employed as park rangers to protect the animals are killed outright!
The market is akin to drugs in that the product is contraband and is associated with the murder of innocents, including innocent people.
But how to reach the hearts and minds of those who buy ivory before all the elephants are gone?