End the Killing of Elephants for VN Ivory Trade

As we reach the halfway point of the year, our commitment to ending the ivory trade remains steadfast as ever. The brutal killing of African elephants for their tusks continues to drive the illegal ivory trade, posing a severe threat to the survival of these animals. Throughout 2024, our efforts have been marked by encouraging progress and unwavering dedication.

From January to March 2024, the ENV Wildlife Crime Unit logged over 638 new wildlife crime cases, consisting of more than 2,000 individual violations. Among these, over 30 cases were ivory-related, consisting of 75 violations.

Public mobilization is crucial for ENV’s mission to protect wildlife. Below, are a few key cases set in motion by public reports to our Wildlife Crime Hotline:

• A report to the ENV Hotline led to the inspection of a shop in Dak Lak province by the Buon Ma Thuot Police. The inspection uncovered the illegal sale of prohibited goods, including 32 ivory rings and 4 ivory pendants. As a result, authorities issued the shop owner a fine of VND 195 million (USD 7,700) (Case ref. 26344/ENV).

• The Quang Ngai Economic Department issued an administrative fine of VND 7.5 million to an individual for advertising wildlife products, including ivory, online. The subject was first reported to ENV in May 2023 for advertising prohibited products like ivory bracelets and tiger claws (Case ref. 27074/ENV).

• The Lam Dong People's Committee took action in response to a report from ENV regarding online wildlife advertising, leading to the imposition of a VND 85 million fine (USD 3,400) on a man for advertising wildlife. This case was initially brought to ENV’s attention in July 2021 and involved the advertisement of tiger claws, bear claws, bear gallbladders, and ivory products. Despite prior warnings from ENV, the individual remained uncooperative. This time, all his online accounts were shut down (Case ref. 20399/ENV).

• The Pleiku City Police, acting on a public report received through the ENV Wildlife Crime Hotline, confiscated 51 counterfeit ivory products from a gold shop. The shop owner was unable to provide any evidence regarding the origin of the fake products, resulting in a VND 8 million fine (Case ref. 27596/ENV).

On the prosecution side, several cases deserve mention:

• In January 2023, a man and a woman were arrested for illegally transporting and trading a tiger, as well as being in possession of over 6 kg of rhino horn, 315 grams of ivory, several pieces of rhino skin, and two king cobras soaked in wine. The driver, who had fled the scene, was later apprehended. In March 2024, the woman was sentenced to 7 years in prison, while the man received a 30-month prison sentence and a fine of VND 100 million. The driver was given an 18-month suspended sentence and 36 months’ probation by the Hanoi Court (Case ref. 24487/ENV).

• In December 2022, the Dak Lak Environment Police inspected a jewelry and handicraft shop in Dak Lak and seized a number of suspected ivory products and an Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) claw. The police then raided the wildlife trader's house, leading to the confiscation of more ivory products. In April 2024, the individual was sentenced to 24 months in prison by the Buon Ma Thuot City Court. Notably, the subject had previously been sentenced to 18 months in prison in September 2021 for the illegal trading of more than 2 kg of ivory products. Despite the previous sentence, the subject continued to violate the law (Case ref. 25940/ENV).

• In February 2023, the Tan Uyen Town Police confiscated three sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) claws and five suspected elephant ivory bracelets from a woman, leading to her arrest. Upon inspecting her house, the police found another sun bear claw. On December 19, 2023, the woman was sentenced to two years in prison by the Tan Uyen District Court and later appealed the sentence. In April 2024, she withdrew the appeal request, making the first instance verdict enforceable (Case ref. 22314/ENV).

In global news, in March, 1.580 tonnes of elephant ivory were seized by Hai Phong Customs in cooperation with other agencies in a container at a port in Hai Phong, comprising 547 elephant tusks that had been painted black. The tusks were concealed inside jumbo bags and hidden among cow horns in a container that was being transported from Nigeria.

Communication and public awareness

Our Communications Team continued their tireless efforts to raise public awareness in Vietnam's largest ivory hotspot and beyond, mobilizing support against ivory crime.

In Dak Lak province – a known hotspot for ivory crime – ENV’s anti-ivory campaign, in tandem with local law enforcement, educates members of the public on the importance of saying no to ivory products through ENV’s Elephant Safety Zone initiative.

The beginning of this year marked the third placement of anti-ivory educational standees at nine government offices in the Buon Ma Thuot region. These standees remind the public that owning ivory does not signify high status and list four actions individuals can take to protect elephants. Overall, standees have been placed at 12 government buildings and tourist sites in Buon Ma Thuot city.

This initiative is accompanied by other elephant protection and anti-ivory communications activities, including viral adverts, awareness events hosted by ENV’s Buon Ma Thuot Volunteer Outpost, and ENV’s “Elephant Friendly Business” initiative, which engages and raises awareness within the tourism sector and among shop owners.

In May, we released “The ENV Call Center,” our 57^th Public Service Announcement, encouraging public mobilization to protect wildlife by reporting wildlife violations to the ENV toll-free Wildlife Crime Hotline at 1800-1522.

As we reflect on our progress, we also recognize the long road ahead and the continued need for collective action.

Thank you for your unwavering support in this critical fight.

Your contributions are making a significant impact, and we are deeply grateful for your involvement in our mission to end the ivory trade in Vietnam.

Until next time,

The ENV Team