Key facts
- China has banned the sale and processing of ivory.
- Vietnamese criminal organizations are key players in the illegal ivory trade.
- These groups smuggle ivory from Africa to China.
- Traffickers use various methods to evade authorities.
Despite China's comprehensive ban on the sale and processing of ivory, illegal trafficking networks, particularly those involving Vietnamese criminal organizations, continue to fuel the trade. These groups are instrumental in moving ivory tusks from Africa to China, undermining the effectiveness of conservation policies. The sophisticated methods employed by these traffickers allow them to circumvent detection and enforcement efforts, posing a significant challenge to efforts aimed at protecting elephant populations and combating the illegal wildlife trade.