The word ivory is used to identify any mammalian tooth or tusk that is of commercial interest. No, rhino horns are made of keratin—the same substance found in human hair and nails. Although they are not ivory, rhinos are still poached for their horns. Elephants are usually killed before the removal of their tusks, but sometimes they don't die immediately.
Imagine if a dentist removed your canine tooth without any numbing medication Elephants feel an immense amount of pain if someone cuts off their tusks. Tusks are deeply rooted incisors with nerve endings. When severed, those nerve endings are exposed and can easily become infected, leading to death. Across the world, ivory is viewed as a status symbol.
Historically, it was used to produce ornaments, figurines, and small carvings, as well as items like jewelry, piano keys, and chess sets. Traditional medicine also views ivory as a healing element, using ivory powder to create medicine for a variety of illnesses.
In the first decade of the 21st century, there was evidence of demand for ivory as an inflation-proof investment commodity, though recent trading restrictions, especially in China, seem to have reduced this pressure.
However, prescribed conditions such as in EU regulations for antique ivory pre , pre-convention worked ivory acquired before the date on which CITES or the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations became applicable and raw ivory, are complicating the matter. New ivory is also being illegally sold under this exemption, making the issue even more complex. Any trade in ivory, even where legal, causes consumer and enforcement confusion, and provides a cover for the laundering of illegally sourced ivory.
Although this creative idea may seem like a quick solution, it is not sustainable. Dying the tusks of elephants would involve capturing and sedating the animals. This process would likely cause great risk and distress to the animals that could be detrimental to individuals and herds.
In addition to the risks associated with anesthetizing an animal as massive as an elephant let alone a whole herd , tusks continually grow. At this rate, we would have to re-dye the elephants' tusks annually—an unfeasible task in size.
The future of African elephant populations is tenuous, as poaching continues at high rates. Because of the political and economic difficulties faced by many African nations, the majority of conservation efforts have focused on limiting demand for ivory.
The United States, however, seems to be moving in a singular direction toward increased protections and trade restrictions. Sam B. Edwards, 7 Animal L. Manley, 38 Fordham Int'l L. Brown , F. Deukmejian, F. Plaintiff filed suit challenging the California Penal Code, specifically sections o and r.
Plaintiff manufactured boots from the hides of animals, including the hides of the African elephant, the Indonesian python, and the Wallaby kangaroo. Section o and r of the California Penal Code prevented plaintiff from selling his boots in California because the provisions forbid the sale of products made from dead bodies, or any part of the elephant, python, or kangaroo. The plaintiff also argued that the provisions were unconstitutional because of the burden placed on interstate commerce which violates the Commerce Clause of the U.
The court looked to whether or not the provisions were expressly or impliedly preempted and determined that because the provisions were not expressly preempted the court needed to do an analysis of implied preemption. Looking to legislative history, the court found that Congress did not intend to preempt the provisions of the California Penal Code with the enactment of the ESA.
Lastly, the court held that the California statue was not a burden on interstate commerce because Congress was aware of the existence of the California provisions and decided that the ESA would not affect the California provisions. Prohibition on purchase and sale of ivory and rhinoceros horn; exceptions; criminal penalties West's Ann. New Jersey - A Prohibition on import, sale, purchase, etc.
A sizeable portion of people in China 44 percent and the Philippines 39 percent view ivory as a token of good luck, compared to smaller numbers in Thailand 25 percent and the United States 17 percent. And in some countries, reverence and respect for elephants imbues ivory with perceived qualities of rarity and beauty that contribute to its widespread appeal—which, in turn, leads to the slaughter of yet more elephants. The takeaway lesson from the survey is that advocacy focused on the plight of elephants can sustain and increase public support for new measures to restrict the ivory trade—but curbing demand will require messages fine-tuned to resonate with ivory purchasers.
Advocacy efforts on other issues have demonstrated how important it is to get inside the heads of target audiences. Marketing research revealed that teens were already aware of these hazards and tended to view smoking as an act of empowerment and rebellion. The Truth campaign reversed that perception by showing young smokers the extent to which they were being manipulated by tobacco companies. The campaign against the ivory trade has already begun targeting its messages toward buyers.
Similarly creative strategies will be needed to counter perceptions that ivory is a fashionable, exotic status symbol. In Japan, for instance, the popularity of ivory fell in the s after the crown prince spoke out against it.
Of course, not every country has royalty—let alone royalty that are well-regarded by its citizens. But the National Geographic Society—GlobeScan survey compiled a ranking of the most trusted sources for information among ivory buyers.
The top three are non-profit environmental organizations, scientists or academics, and family members or friends. Those findings suggest a two-pronged strategy, relying on environmental organizations and scientists to deliver the top-down message, while reaching out to individuals at the grassroots level who will be able to influence the views of their peers.
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