End the Killing of Elephants for VN Ivory Trade

Recent progress in the fight to end the killing of elephants

In our ongoing efforts to combat ivory crimes – all of which stem from the brutal killing of African elephants – in 2023, ENV continued its persistent action by providing steadfast support to law enforcement agencies in addressing ivory crime. ENV also played a crucial role in assisting with the prosecution of cases and strove to create strong deterrents for potential offenders through the achievement and public dissemination of strict punishments for ivory crimes. Furthermore, we continued our tireless work to raise public awareness in Vietnam's largest ivory hotspot and beyond, in order to mobilize a groundswell of support against this crime and to protect these majestic creatures.

At a glance, from January to December 2023, with an average of 9 public reports per day, our Wildlife Crime Unit has logged over 3,500 new wildlife crime cases, consisting of more than 11,000 individual violations. Of these, over 300 were ivory-related cases, with the majority (284) being ivory internet crime cases. On the cybercrime front, ENV has facilitated the shutdown of 55 online groups selling wildlife products, including ivory, and comprising over 360,000 members.

Special mention goes to a prosecution case that saw a 12-year sentence being handed down to a man who smuggled 11.82 kg of rhino horn and 4.712 kg of elephant ivory bracelets from Angola to Vietnam (Case ref. 27000/ENV).

In December, ENV witnessed the historic incineration of nearly 10 tonnes of evidence from two port seizure cases, carried out by the Da Nang Civil Judgment Enforcement Department. The first of these seizures occurred in January 2022, when 456.9 kg of African elephant (Loxodonta africana) ivory and 6.2 tonnes of pangolin scales were seized at Da Nang port. In July 2022, nine black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) horn pieces and 43 white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) horn pieces – all weighing a total of 138 kg – as well as 3.108 metric tonnes of lion bones were seized at Da Nang port. In June 2023, a subject involved in these cases was sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison, comprising 10 years for wildlife violations and three years for fabricating documents. In addition, he was administered a fine of VND 50 million (Case ref. 22583, 20572/ENV). The thoroughness in handling the case, followed by the symbolic action of destroying the seized wildlife products, shows steps in the right direction from Da Nang city authorities, setting an example for other localities in Vietnam and showing the world Vietnam’s determination to fight and prevent illegal wildlife trafficking in Vietnam.

Communication and public awareness

In 2022, we launched the Elephant-Friendly Businesses Campaign, engaging several tourism businesses in Dak Lak, a region in Vietnam that is notorious for ivory retail, to sign pledges not to sell or promote any elephant ivory products. This campaign continued throughout 2023, and establishments are displaying their 'Elephant-friendly Business' status at their premises to inform customers and visitors that they do not support the sale of ivory and to raise awareness on the issue.

Furthermore, to reach a wider audience and focus on the demand side, we partnered with the Department of Information and Communications to send text messages to 1.9 million mobile subscribers in Dak Lak. The message aimed to encourage people to stop trading ivory, reduce the demand for it, and report any violations to the ENV Wildlife Crime Hotline.

In addition, last November, we released ENV’s 56th Public Service Announcement (PSA). The PSA, titled “Knock Knock,” seeks to increase public awareness about the impact of everyday wildlife crimes and the negative consequences associated with such violations. Through a series of snapshots featuring people of different ages, genders, and social statuses, the PSA showcases examples of common wildlife crimes, such as wearing ivory jewelry, that individuals can commit accidentally or intentionally. So far, the PSA has been aired on 54 national TV channels

With your support, in 2024, ENV is determined to continue its relentless campaign to tackle the illegal ivory trade and safeguard the survival of African elephants for years to come.

Until next time,
The ENV Team