WWF’s Network-wide Ivory Initiative came to an end in June 2022, after more than 4 years of successful work, focused on demand reduction and policy advocacy to shut down Asia’s elephant ivory markets.

A "game-changing" ban on commercial processing and trade in elephant ivory was implemented by the State Council, China's Cabinet, on December 31, 2017. TRAFFIC and WWF commissioned GlobeScan before the ban became effective in 2017 to conduct the largest-ever ivory consumer research in China. This research has been conducted annually using the same methodology and surveying consumers in the same 15 cities. We believe this to be the most in-depth, longest-running research effort into consumer demand for ivory to date.

The Identification Guide for Ivory and Ivory Substitutes is an updated and expanded tool to help law enforcement officers, forensic scientists, online technology company enforcement staff and wildlife trade management authorities distinguish between types of ivories and their substitutes. This Guide includes detailed procedures, visual aids, and instructions for recognizing ivory products, particularly those that have undergone heavy alterations such as carving and painting.

WWF has conducted the largest consumer survey about ivory trade in China—2,000 people in 15 cities—for three consecutive years with GlobeScan, providing the best available assessment measuring changes in attitudes, purchasing and ban awareness over time.

This report provides the first analysis of trends in supply and demand for elephant ivory products in China’s markets since the new legislative changes. 

Following China’s announcement late last year of a domestic ivory trade ban by the end of 2017, TRAFFIC and WWF surveys have found that the number of ivory items offered for sale—in both legal and illegal ivory markets in China—has declined alongside falling ivory prices.

In an effort to tackle the challenge of “desire reduction” of consumers, WWF commissioned a guide, Reducing Desire for Elephant Ivory: A Psychosocial Guide to Address Elephant Ivory Consumption that presents a new lens through which to view conservation campaigns and their audiences taking on complex dimensions (psychological, cultural, social, and emotional) of elephant ivory consumption.