What's the biological role of ivory for elephants? Here's why protecting these majestic tusks is essential for their survival.

Ivory is a hard, white material from the tusks (traditionally from elephants) and teeth of animals, that consists mainly of dentin, one of the physical structures of teeth and tusks.

In short, ivory is integral to an elephant’s daily life, culture, and survival. Yet what elephants rely on as a natural tool, humans have taken for profit. Ivory’s smooth, durable, and easily carved …

These FAQs provide guidance on how to legally buy, sell, or otherwise trade in elephant ivory to ensure that our domestic markets do not contribute to the decline of elephants in the wild.

This resource aims to inform the public about ivory—the material, its cultural uses and its importance—as well as the risks facing elephants today and the efforts to help protect this …

Jun 4, 2024 · These tusks are made of ivory, a cream-coloured dense bone tissue that surrounds enamel. Elephants use them for a variety of purposes, including foraging, fighting, and …

Jan 11, 2024 · Ivory is harder (resists scratches and wear) and stiffer (less flex) than bone, which is relatively lightweight because it contains more pores. Ivory is heavy and dense: an elephant …

What is ivory and why does it belong on elephants? We’ve all seen photographs of majestic elephants sporting long, off-white tusks on either side of their trunks. This ivory is both …

Oct 19, 2023 · This video excerpt from that film explores the history of the ivory trade and the resulting devastation of Africa’s elephant population—from 26 million elephants in 1800 to …

In July 2017, we published our report, ‘The Shuidong Connection’, which exposed the deep-rooted links between Shuidong and the global ivory trade, confirming China as the global …