$1.2 million ivory market thrives in Australia without legal proof
Australia has no domestic law stopping ivory sales. A 2019 government promised to create one.
Australia has no law stopping elephant ivory sales, though a 2019 government promised to ban it. Roughly $1.2 million worth of ivory objects were advertised for sale over just six months last year, appearing on Facebook, auction sites and online stores.
A new study found less than 1 per cent had documentation proving legal import. Australia bans almost all new ivory imports.
But anyone can resell older items without proof of legitimacy. Countries including China, the UK and the US have closed their domestic ivory markets.
They fear the trade fuels poaching. Scientists and auctioneers say Australia should follow suit.
A national law could ask sellers to verify and share an item's origin.
- 1.2 million dollars
- Value advertised
- 1,698
- Listings studied
- 70
- Vendors tracked
- Less than 1 per cent
- With legal documentation
Why it mattersAustralia's legal loopholes let ivory dealers operate openly. Elephant populations face extinction from poaching.
AustraliaAustralians can legally buy and sell elephant ivory without proof of legal origin, fuelling demand that drives African and Asian poaching.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 h ago
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