Walrus, narwhal, killer whale (orca), and sperm whale are set to receive greater legal protections under the UK’s ban on importing, exporting and dealing in items containing ivory, the Government has announced.

The species are already threatened by climate change, and the continuing trade in their ivory may exacerbate these threats and make their long-term survival less likely.

The UK Government’s consultation response confirms plans to extend the Ivory Act 2018 to ban all dealing in ivory from these species, including imports and exports.

Those found guilty of breaching the ban face tough penalties including an unlimited fine or up to five years in jail.

Biodiversity Minister Trudy Harrison said:

“This is a pivotal moment in delivering one of our key manifesto commitments on international conservation. The Ivory Act is one of the toughest bans of its kind in the world and by extending greater legal protections.

“The UK has long led the way in conservation and our ban shows continued global leadership in doing all we can to protect the world’s most endangered species.”

Frances Goodrum, Head of Campaigns and Programmes at IFAW UK said:

“…. species are still poached globally to meet an unnecessary demand for “luxury” ivory products, including the hippopotamus, walrus, narwhal, sperm whale and killer whale.  We welcome DEFRA’s decision to extend this powerful legislation, which will go a long way in cracking down on a damaging trade. Today is a good day for conservation and a step change towards international commitments to safeguard our natural world”.

The species are all listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates their trade internationally, and walrus and sperm whale are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list.

Loophole closed

The Ivory Act, passed in 2018, targeted materials from elephants, but a loophole meant that animals other than elephants, including hippos were being targeted for their ivory. After a consultation, ministers have decided to tighten the ban to include all ivory-bearing species, so these will not be poached to fill the gap in the trade left by the elephant ivory ban.

Killer whales and sperm whales are targeted for their teeth, while narwhals and walruses are hunted for their tusks.

The announcement from the UK Government comes following a public consultation. The full press release can be read here.