Jump in Illegal Ivory Imports Linked to Chinese Smugglers

LONDON, May 10 -- Illegal ivory imports have soared in the past decade, as Chinese-run smuggling rings expand their reach in Africa, according to a report published Thursday.

Traffic International, a wildlife trade watchdog based in Cambridge, England, appealed to the Chinese government to help control the problem.

"It is imperative that China reaches out to the growing Chinese communities in Africa with a clear message that involvement in illegal ivory trade will not be tolerated," said Tom Milliken, director of the group's Africa program.

Worldwide, there are an average of 92 ivory seizures a month -- or three a day, the report said. Thirty-two seizures of 1.1 tons or more of ivory were recorded from 1998 to 2006, up from 17 in 1989-97, according to the group's analysis of international elephant product seizure records.

Markets in China are driving the demand for illicit ivory, which arrives either directly or through Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Japan and Thailand are also important final destinations, and the Philippines is a key transit country.

These seven countries and territories account for 62 percent of the ivory recovered in the 49 largest recorded seizure cases, the report said.

The study identified Congo, Cameroon and Nigeria as major sources of illegal ivory.

Ivory trading threatens elephant populations by creating commercial incentives for poachers. The ivory is used mostly to make luxury items.

"This demonstrates greater sophistication, organization and finance behind the illegal movement of ever larger volumes of ivory from Africa to Asia," said Susan Lieberman, director of the World Wildlife Fund's Global Species Program. "This is clearly a negative consequence of the ongoing globalization of African markets and economies."