ENVIRONMENT
Ivory Trade: A History Drenched in Blood
By: Klara Greyvensteyn
Illustration by: Meagan Hsu
Have you ever thought about how pearly white ivory might not be as pristine and untainted as it seems? From ivory necklaces to combs to household decor, people commonly take this luxury item for granted, but it’s backstory is seldom questioned. If we look more closely at its origins, we come to realize that it is, in fact, drenched in blood, not just animal blood, but also human blood. Ivory trade is an issue with heavy global significance, and its impacts extend to wildlife, endangered species, and ecosystems. With the shocking commonality of animal poaching in today’s world, it won’t be long until the elephant, an integral player in the African ecosystem, will become forever extinct.
Layout by: Haley Hsu
ivory trading, unfortunately, is still widely prevalent in the modern world. Although its relative, animal poaching, is a commonly discussed issue, ivory trade, on the other hand, is seldom talked about. A fact that seems to be neglected is that ivory trade and animal poaching go hand in hand, dating all the way back to the Roman Empire. Ivory trade is a problem that has been persistent for centuries, but it is yet to be seriously considered or solved. We can see from the history of ivory trade to how it impacts animals, and how it is relevant in Hong Kong. While ivory trading is an issue that’s normally pushed aside in current media, its severity cannot and should not be downplayed. This article will seek to clarify the issue, establish its significance and Elephants play an integral role in maintaining suggest possible solutions to counteract it. the ecosystem in Africa, and without them, forests would overtake the grasslands. They Ivory trade, in its simplest form, is the dig watering holes in the dry season, without which many animals would die of thirst. They are also highly intelligent and have a remarkable memory, in fact, their brains are very similar to humans. They are the only animal that mourns their dead, and can even suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. This means animal poaching doesn’t just impact elephant numbers but it also impacts elephants on an emotional level. When elephants see their own kind massacred, and they react the same way a human would to seeing others murdered. There have been numerous attempts to combt the ivory trading issue, but their indirect approach and lack of support means that 88
ISSUE 21
XIAO HUA
