An elephant is poached, on average, every 15 minutes for its ivory. Ivory sells at high prices on the black market, and people buy it for its socially attributed status as a display of wealth and prestige. Vietnam is considered a major transit route for the ivory trade from Africa to other Asian countries, especially China – the largest destination for ivory.
Fighting the illegal ivory trade is one of ENV’s top priorities. ENV has been working closely with law enforcement authorities in Vietnam and other countries to investigate and dismantle major ivory criminal networks. In 2022, 8 ivory criminal cases were prosecuted, and three criminals were sentenced to a total of 52 months in prison.
In addition, ENV works closely with law enforcement authorities and members of the public to address reported consumer crime. In 2022, A total of 538 ivory crime cases comprising 1,238 violations were reported to ENV, and 576 ivory crime cases were successfully addressed.
2022 Ivory Crime Statistics
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In 2022, ENV launched an ivory crime enforcement campaign in Dak Lak province, where consumer crimes are still widespread. Tourists often visit Dak Lak to enjoy rides on the back of domesticated elephants and then purchase ivory products, believed to bring good luck. During joint enforcement campaigns with ENV, Dak Lak authorities have confiscated large quantities of ivory products from a number of local souvenir shops.
Moreover, ENV encourages tourists in the region to be responsible consumers and only purchase from establishments that advertise as an “Elephant Friendly Business.” ENV has also placed awareness panels at airports, partnered with tourism agencies, and shared advertisements targeting ivory consumers on the radio, on airplanes, and online.
To challenge the belief that elephant ivory is a symbol of luxury and good fortune, in February 2023, ENV released a Public Service Announcement (PSA), Luxury Party, which was distributed and broadcast by 54 national TV channels. The PSA was featured on the Dak Lak Provincial People Committee website, as well as on the Dak Lak Department of Information and Communication website. In addition, the film was delivered to Dak Lak Tourism Promotion Information Center and broadcast at Buon Ma Thuot Airport.