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eBay draws flak for running rampant ivory trade

eBay draws flak for running rampant ivory trade

Online auction site eBay finds itself at the receiving end of the ire of the animal welfare campaigners, who accused it of running rampant ivory trade, posing a serious threat to the elephants.

According to a survey carried out by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in Great Britain, Australia, China, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Canada and the United States, more than 2,200 elephant ivory items are listed on eBay websites and surprisingly, more than 90 per cent of it violates eBay’s own wildlife policies!

IFAW insisted the only way to save elephants, the largest land mammal, from poaching is to close markets where illegal ivory is passed off as unique.

Robbie Marsland, IFAW’s British director, said

As the world’s largest online shop window, eBay has a special responsibility to lead the way by banning ivory from their sites.
Only a global ban on all ivory sales will remove the cover under which this criminal activity currently operates and as a result, seriously help to decrease illegal trade and the cruel and unnecessary slaughter of elephants.

The company, however, insisted that the website went by existing UK and international laws.

Gareth Streeter, a spokesman in London, said

We have had a number of positive and fruitful discussions with the IFAW about how we can work together to ensure that our policies are effectively enforced, and we are committed to working with them to tackle the problem of illegal ivory sales.

Photo: Reuters

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