According to the UK environment secretary, Michael Gove, a new ban on ivory sales in the country will be "one of the toughest in the world". Although it is yet to be signed into law, the ban extends existing legislation which allowed sales of ivory produced before 1947, making all sales (with some limited exemptions) illegal and punishable with up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine. In response to the announcement, WWF chief executive Tanya Steele said: "This ban makes the UK a global leader in tackling this bloody trade" but warned that "if we want to stop the poaching of this majestic animal, we need global action", highlighting the importance of the UK pressing other countries to shut down trade, too.
This infographic, produced in collaboration with The Week, brings together five alarming facts which highlight the scale of the situation.
The Ivory Trade in Numbers
Conservation
