Blood Ivory briefing from Environmental Investigation Agency, published 22 March 2012. Two legal sales of ivory stockpiles have failed to stem the flow of illegal ivory to East Asia, especially to China. In fact, the opposite has occurred, with the sales stimulating the market and contributing to an increase in illegal ivory flows and the poaching of elephants.
In China, the latest legal sale in 2008 has clearly failed to either reduce the price of ivory or curb illegal trade. This failure should be recognised and not repeated. The single biggest threat to elephants is now the largest regulated domestic market.