Success: Hong Kong Bans Ivory Sales

Target: The Honorable Andrew Leung, President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong

Goal: Praise Hong Kong for banning all ivory sales.

Hong Kong has officially banned all ivory sales completely, closing any legal loopholes for shops still selling pre-1970s ivory and ending grace periods for businesses phasing out their ivory sales. China officially announced an impending ban in 2015, but the process had been fairly slow; ivory smuggling rings were still active, and elephants were still being hunted.

This is a tremendous step forward for the safety and welfare of elephants. This species has endured all manner of pain and abuse from various sources in recent years, but the worst has been their near-extinction due to poaching, with people finding loopholes or outright violating the ban on ivory for the sake of a profit. More than 33,000 elephants are killed every year to boost sales and rake in as much cash as possible.

China was one of the biggest ivory distributors for decades, and one of the largest territories in the country enforcing a full ban on ivory sales will hopefully serve as an example to other countries and territories still allowing sales. Sign this petition to thank Hong Kong’s lawmakers for banning ivory sales for good.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Honorable President Leung,

Thank you for banning all ivory sales in your territory, including closing loopholes that have allowed shops to get away with these sales for years and ending grace periods for shops looking to phase out their stock. This ban is a big step forward for the welfare of elephants, who have suffered horribly for the sake of a profit in addition to facing other abuses and hardships for years.

Your decision to end ivory sales is an example that more territories and countries must follow. You are one of the biggest and most notable territories in China, and it is hoped that your influence will spread and put an end to ivory once and for all. Thank you for helping us fight for the welfare of elephants everywhere.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Rob Young