Elephants on the High Street: An investigation into ivory trade in the UK

For this report, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) monitored the trade in ivory within, out of and into the United Kingdom (UK) over a period of several weeks in late 2003 and early 2004, communicating with scores of people selling ivory over the Internet and via outlets in six towns and cities throughout the country.

This snapshot of the trade reveals worrying loopholes in existing legal controls and enforcement measures. IFAW’s short investigation has revealed a thriving and uncontrolled trade in ivory on British high streets and over the Internet.