Tell eBay: Ban All Ivory Sales
The United States is the second largest consumer of illegal ivory products in the world, according to a
recent study. Internet sales of ivory have increased significantly in recent years, and the numerous loopholes in US law make it virtually impossible to prevent illegal internet trade in ivory.
Now, the International Fund for Animal Welfare has documented that one year after eBay implemented restrictions on ivory sales,
eBay ivory auction sales have skyrocketed in the United States. Despite eBay's earnest efforts to regulate such sales, it is clear that
there is no way for online auction sites to police internet ivory sales. Poaching of elephants in Africa is on the rise as is illegal trade in ivory, fueled in large part by demand in China and the U.S. As the largest online auction company in the world,
eBay must show leadership and do the right thing for elephants by banning all ivory sales across all of its auction sites. Dear Mr. Donahoe,
As a conservationist and animal welfare advocate, I am writing to urge you to ban all ivory sales on eBay%u2019s auction sites across all of your affiliates in every country of business.
Recent studies show that the US is the second largest consumer of illegal ivory in the world. There are numerous loopholes in US law that allow illegal ivory to be imported into the US, and most ivory sales in the US now take place online.
In addition, elephant poaching is on the rise in Africa, fueled by increasing demand for ivory in China and the US. Study after study suggests that it is virtually impossible to adequately police online sales of ivory given the ease of passing off illegal ivory as %u201Cantique%u201D and of importing illegal African ivory as legal trophies.
I urge you to ban all sales of ivory on all eBay auction sites. I hope that your action in this regard will show leadership in the online auction industry and lead to an industry wide ban on ivory sales. Only by shutting down the online black market can we address the continued illegal killing of our majestic and endangered elephants.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
