To Hong Kong now, where officials announced that they will phase out the sale of ivory in the city. Ivory comes from the tusks of elephants. Animal activists say the trade of ivory encourages the illegal hunting of elephants.
Activists are applauding the government's decision. The import and export of ivory has been banned in Hong Kong since international trading was outlawed in 1989, but about 400 licensed sellers are permitted to trade ivory material.
Thirty thousand African elephants are killed every year for their ivory, putting the species at risk for extinction.
Hong Kong is said to be the world's largest retail market for ivory.
Instructional Links
Website Article: Defenders of Wildlife, Basic Facts about Elephants
http://www.defenders.org/elephant/basic-facts
Website Article: Newsela, China, U.S. Will Stop Sales Of Ivory, But Will It Save The Elephants?
https://newsela.com/articles/uschina-ivoryban/id/12451/
Website Article: The World Factbook, Hong Kong
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hk.html