About 300 ivory carvers are still believed to be operating in China, many from their homes, said Martin, who in an earlier report accused Sudanese militia of slaughtering large numbers of elephants in volatile Central Africa to supply ivory markets in North Africa and Asia.
Despite the criticism directed at China for its role in the illegal trade, the experts said African nations themselves needed to do more to rein it in.
More than a third of the illegal ivory pieces discovered were found in Africa, where carving remains a lucrative profession, they said.
Nigel Hunter, who runs an elephant protection program under the auspices of the U.N. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), urged further consideration for African-based ivory markets.
"African carvers' consumption represents a significant quantity of the demand," Hunter said. "We have to bring African markets under control. If you can do that... you have a chance."
Name: African Elephant (
Loxodonta africana)
Primary Classification: Proboscidea (Elephants)
Location: Africa.
Habitat: Wide range, including desert, scrub, savanna and high rainforest.
Diet: Bark, fruit, grass and leaves.
Size: Up to 16 ft in length, 13 ft in height, and 11 tons in weight.
Description: Gray, sparsely haired skin; large ears, which aid in temperature regulation; long, forward-curving ivory tusks, used for fighting, digging and eating; long, muscular trunk with two finger-like projections at the tip.
Cool Facts: It is the largest land mammal on Earth. It takes care of weak and injured pack members and grieves over dead companions. It has a particular fascination with the tusks and bones of dead elephants.
Conservation Status: Endangered
Major Threat: Poaching
What Can I Do?: Visit
Save the Elephants, the
African Wildlife Foundation, and the
Living With Elephants Foundation for information on how you can help endangered elephants.
