Over the past 30 years, Kenya has topped global elephant ivory seizures. Nigeria ranks 7th with 23,031 kg confiscated

Key takeaways

  • Kenya recorded the highest ivory seizure among the top 10 countries, with 130,432 kg confiscated over the 34-year period.
  • China and Hong Kong follow closely, with 106,069 kg and 75,707 kg seized, respectively, showing their long standing roles as critical players in the global ivory network.
  • Vietnam and Singapore, both located in Southeast Asia, had substantial seizure records; 71,256 kg and 29,882 kg, indicating persistent trafficking through the region.
  • Nigeria leads West Africa in ivory confiscations within the top 10, with 23,031 kg, signalling its importance as a key node in the transit chain.
  • All countries listed in the top 10 are either source, transit, or destination points in the global ivory supply chain, reflecting how widespread and interconnected the illegal trade remains.

From 1990 to 2024, elephant ivory seizures across these top countries paint a revealing picture of the global illegal ivory network. Kenya, the country with the highest recorded confiscations, has long been a hotspot, due both to its proximity to major elephant populations and to strong customs activity. Other African countries like Uganda, Mozambique, and Nigeria also appear prominently on the list, highlighting the region’s ongoing struggle with poaching and illegal transport.

On the other side of the trade, countries like China, Vietnam, and Hong Kong have historically been identified as major destinations or key transit points. Their high seizure numbers align with long established trafficking patterns. Singapore and Malaysia, known for their international shipping hubs, further reflect how ivory often moves through legal trade routes to mask illicit activity.

Source:

World Population Review

Period:

1990 - 2024
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