China makes big strides in efforts to halt ivory trade

According to Iain Douglas-Hamilton, founder of Save the Elephants, the success was largely driven by China's decision to end the illegal ivory trade.

Government programs have also felt the effects of the ban. John Waweru, the Kenya Wildlife Services' director-general, said the ban has not only helped stem the decline in the number of elephants, but has boosted tourism, since the elephants are a major attraction.

Kenya's tourism industry contributed $2.9 billion to the country's economy in 2017, accounting for 3.7 percent of the total GDP.

"This does not mean we have eased up on our efforts. We are using lessons learned to spread our efforts into other programs on endangered species such as rhinos and pangolins," Waweru said.

He also said China has provided technical assistance and training in China for the staff of Kenya Wildlife Services.

China has donated vehicles, tents, night-vision equipment and binoculars for use by the Wildlife Services staff to aid wildlife conservation.

In addition, between 2015 and 2018, China donated equipment worth $5.1 million to Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia for their wildlife protection programs.

Amado Philip de Andres, regional representative for Eastern Africa of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, said efforts are now geared toward cutting off funds that support remaining poaching activities.

"There is a need for inter-regional and inter-continental cooperation to follow the money trail," he told China Daily earlier.

"If we don't have the cooperation of strong players like China, we will get nowhere. China is a trailblazer in Asia, but we need partners such as Europe and America, too," he said.

Meanwhile, demand for ivory continues in Japan and Europe. "Europe and Japan appear to be in need of small amounts of ivory for use in musical instruments such as Japan's traditional koto and shamisen," said Douglas-Hamilton, the Save the Elephants founder.

"It appears ivory is superior to any other material in some musical instruments, but there may be a chance to produce synthetic materials and replicate ivory's properties. This would be a promising way forward for these countries," he added.

He also said the UK recently introduced what he called "sensible legislation" to allow limited amounts of ivory to be used in musical instruments.

Zhou from the WWF's China office has called for more attention from authorities and the public on the emerging trend of new channels for cross-border wildlife smuggling, such as express delivery services.

"In recent years, we've noticed some cross-border trafficking gangs are taking advantage of the convenience of express delivery to send endangered wildlife and products to customers in China," he said.

On May 6, a dozen domestic express logistics companies, including EMS and SF Express, signed a self-regulatory convention and pledged to take various measures to halt transportation of protected wildlife and related products. The convention requires companies to strictly follow regulations and provide regular anti-trafficking training for their employees.

China has also upgraded screening facilities and introduced stricter policies, which require customs officers to open luggage and parcels that might contain endangered wildlife or products.

"China has always shouldered its responsibility of playing a leading role in anti-trafficking," said Liu Dewang, deputy director of the Wildlife Conservation Department of the State Forestry and Grassland Administration. "Strong measures have been taken by the government, nonprofit organizations and other industries."