Gernerally I think environmentalist and hunters have the same objective, conserve a species.
When I was in Africa, it was pointed out that the "game hunters" get to bring back a trophy, and that trophy containing ivory often never makes it back, going into the black market. Keeping a steady lower bound on the supply for those making a living in smuggling, and enabling poaching elsewhere.
I have no answers to this problem. One hopes it can be stopped on the demand side, and this move by China will help.
Ivory is an odd substance to be considered so valuable.
Well of course for entirely different reasons. I personally am not in favor of facilitating the human blood lust to kill in order to save a species.
Humans can easily facilitate good conservation without requiring it to be attached to the killing of animals for sport.
I think it's valuable just for the reason that it's from a unique and special animal. And the market is supported by China via corrupt government officials and organized crime.
When I was in Africa, it was pointed out that the "game hunters" get to bring back a trophy, and that trophy containing ivory often never makes it back, going into the black market. Keeping a steady lower bound on the supply for those making a living in smuggling, and enabling poaching elsewhere.
I have no answers to this problem. One hopes it can be stopped on the demand side, and this move by China will help. Ivory is an odd substance to be considered so valuable.