End the Killing of Elephants for VN Ivory Trade

Due to the large scale of wildlife trafficking networks operating in Vietnam and elsewhere, tackling ivory crime is a difficult task. Nonetheless, in 2023, ENV has continued its efforts to raise public awareness in Vietnam’s largest ivory hotspot and beyond, as well as supporting law enforcement in addressing ivory crime, assisting in the prosecution of cases, and creating deterrence against similar illegal activities among the Vietnamese public.

During the first half of 2023, ENV’s Wildlife Crime Unit logged a total of 191 ivory-related cases, with the majority of these cases (156) involving advertising and selling ivory on social media.

54 online groups advertising wildlife, including but not limited to ivory products, and consisting of over 300,000 members have been deactivated.

We’re thrilled to share with you some key cases and prosecutions that occurred since our last report, many of which saw our policy and legislation team assisting prosecutors in applying the law to its fullest extent.

• 12-month sentence for online seller

In July 2022, 11 sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) claws and some African elephant (Loxodonta africana) ivory pendants, an African elephant (Loxodonta africana) ivory bracelet, and numerous fake wildlife products were seized from an online seller in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. In March 2023, the seller was sentenced to 12 months in prison (Case ref. 23476/ENV).

• 2 subjects arrested in ivory products seizure

In May 2023, the Hanoi District Police confiscated an African elephant (Loxodonta africana) ivory statue and 43 ivory necklaces after a collaborative investigation with ENV. The goods shipper was arrested at the scene. The police were later able to locate and arrest the owner of the products while seizing more African elephant (Loxodonta africana) ivory products, including 26 bracelets, a statue, 20 pendants, and 32 necklaces from her house. The owner was first reported in January 2019 for advertising ivory products. The case is ongoing (Case ref. 13779/ENV).

• 5-year sentence for wildlife trafficker

In June 2022, Tan Son Nhat International Airport Customs cooperated with Ho Chi Minh Customs and arrested a man on a flight from Luanda to Ho Chi Minh City. They seized two rhino horn pieces weighing 2 kg, three ivory pieces weighing 1.6 kg, and six wildlife canines hidden among frozen meat in a suitcase. In August 2023, the man was sentenced to 5 years in jail (Case ref. 26038/ENV).

• Court rejects appeal of shop owner and upholds 15-month prison sentence

In August 2021, Da Lat City Environment Police responded to a public report via the ENV Wildlife Crime Hotline and confiscated 20 bear claw pendants, 60 fake elephant ivory rings, eight fake elephant ivory bracelets, 20 fake wild pig canine pendants, and 30 fake elephant tail hair from a shop. In April 2023, the shop owner was sentenced to 15 months in prison by Da Lat City Court. In August 2023, the Lam Dong Provincial Court rejected the sentence appeal and confirmed the 15-month sentence (Case ref. 20390/ENV).

In the broader context of the global illegal ivory trade, there were a number of major seizures at ports during this period. Specifically:

• On March 2023, Hai Phong Customs Department in cooperation with Hai Phong City Police seized around seven tonnes of elephant tusks from a container at Nam Hai Dinh Vu port, which had originated in Angola.
• In April 2023, 11.82 kg rhino horns and 4.712 kg elephant ivory bracelets were seized at Noi Bai International Airport Customs. A subject was arrested.

Communication and public awareness

In January, February, March, and July 2023, ivory-focused public exhibitions were carried out with the aim of recruiting new ENV volunteers and collecting pledges from the general public committing not to buy ivory products. Over 1,500 pledges were signed.

In addition, in the summer’s peak local tourism season, ENV displayed two awareness-raising messages on a popular Facebook page targeting residents and visitors in Dak Lak, Vietnam’s ivory hotspot. The messages encouraged the public to refrain from selling, purchasing, and using ivory products. Moreover, it promoted the message that ivory is not and should never be associated with wealth or status. Almost 15,000 people engaged with the messages.

Tackling the illicit ivory trade is a top priority for ENV, and as ever, none of the achievements detailed above could have been possible without your generous donations and support.

Until next time,

The ENV Team