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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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EBay Bans Ivory Sales

Total ban announced ahead of report showing site fuels trade in wildlife products

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(Newser) – EBay will introduce a total ban on ivory sales after the holidays in a bid to prevent elephant poaching, Ars Technica reports. The company banned international sales of ivory on its site in 2007 but critics say it did little to halt the trade in illegal ivory. Conservationists estimate 20,000 elephants are killed every year for their tusks.

EBay's move to clamp down on ivory sales came just before the release of an investigative report by the International Fund for Animal Welfare that found 73% of illegal wildlife transactions over a 3-month period occurred on eBay—the bulk of them dealing in ivory. "There are hardcore dealers who are using eBay to get the ivory out there illegally," IFAW's director told National Geographic.

National Parks Board officials carry a large elephant tusk in the stockpile storeroom at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.
National Parks Board officials carry a large elephant tusk in the stockpile storeroom at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.   (AP Photo/Denis Farrell )
An elephant lumbers through Kruger National Park in South Africa.
An elephant lumbers through Kruger National Park in South Africa.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Two elephant calves drink water at a water hole in Kenya's Tsavo East national park.
Two elephant calves drink water at a water hole in Kenya's Tsavo East national park.   (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)
Two young elephants stand over a dead female elephant, poached for her tusks, in Tanzania's Selous Game Reserve.
Two young elephants stand over a dead female elephant, poached for her tusks, in Tanzania's Selous Game Reserve.   (AP Photo/Environmental Investigation Agency)
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