Chinese demand for ivory is ravaging the population of elephants in Tanzania

The demand for ivory in China is decimating elephant populations in Tanzania, which the African country where most elephants die due to poaching, reveals a report from the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA).

The Selous reserve, in the South of the country, is the main focus of poaching. In 2006, there were around 70,000 elephants in the reserve and in 2013 there were only 13,000, according to the report. The document indicates that the seizures show that the amount of ivory that comes from Tanzania is greater than the amount from any other African country and is adamant to assign the blame to the Chinese citizens, due to the high demand for ivory in the country.

"This report clearly shows that without a zero-tolerance approach, the future of elephants of Tanzania and tourism industry is extremely precarious," said Mary Rice, Executive Director of the EIA, the Guardian.

"The ivory trade must be waged at all levels, the entire chain of accusation has to be restructured, uprooted corruption systemically and all interested parties, including the communities exploited by criminal organizations, should provide clear support and those who fight this illegal activity on the frontline," adds the responsible.

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