Hong Kong Set to Destroy Record Elephant Ivory Stockpile

The largest stockpile of elephant ivory on record—28 tons—will be destroyed over the next year

African Elephant

The Hong Kong government has begun the destruction of a staggering 28 tons of illegal elephant ivory, the world’s largest illegal ivory stockpile and more than every other country in history combined. Advocates believe this public stance agains elephant ivory trafficking is a hopeful sign that Hong Kong’s centuries-old ivory worship traditions are crumbling.

“Hong Kong, a major transit hub for illegal ivory, is sending a clear message by destroying their seized ivory that the government will not tolerate the poaching of elephants and the illegal trade of their ivory,” said Ginette Hemley, Senior Vice President of Wildlife Conservation at WWF. “The government must follow this with strengthened enforcement and tightened monitoring of ivory sales.”

Reducing demand for ivory

As the world’s largest transit point for smuggling elephant ivory, Hong Kong is used as a gateway that helps fuel demand for illegal elephant ivory in mainland China, the number one ivory consumer on the planet. Ranked fifth in the world for elephant ivory seizures, Hong Kong has seized approximately 30 tons of illegal ivory since 2000.

The Hong Kong government believes today’s ivory destruction reaffirms its commitment to combat the illegal ivory trade and discourages demand for ivory products. The elephant ivory was first crushed, then incinerated in an industrial waste treatment facility in Hong Kong. The incineration of the 28 tons of ivory will take at least one year to complete.

“We appreciate the government’s strong statement, and we also recognize that destroying ivory is only one of a suite of enforcement actions that need to be taken by any country involved in ivory seizures,” said Cheryl Lo, conservation specialist at WWF-Hong Kong.

Altering behavior to save elephants

With fewer than 500,000 African elephants left in the wild, WWF urges consumers to refrain from purchasing elephant ivory to prevent the future killing of elephants. Advocates hope today’s event will inspire additional commitments to combat wildlife crime throughout transit and range states.

WWF works to combat illicit trade and reduce consumer demand for illegal elephant ivory by supporting anti-poaching activities, monitoring illegal trade routes, working to reduce consumer demand and identifying effective enforcement mechanisms.

NOTE: This story refers specifically to elephant ivory. While many people outside the Arctic often associate ivory with elephants, the term is also used for items that come from other species, and has different stipulations. Learn more.



Ivory tusks and figurines are readied for destruction in Hong Kong