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Introduction: The Sanxingdui Site in Guanghan City, Sichuan Province, China, is one of the precious heritage sites of the ancient Chinese civilization. Archaeological work at Sanxingdui is of great significance in clarifying the origins and main contents of the ancient Shu culture and the Yangtze River civilization. Since the 1920s, archaeologists have conducted extensive excavations and research at the site, with particular attention given to the large number of ivory artifacts unearthed. However, the buried ivory is influenced by soil pH, temperature, humidity, and other physical and chemical factors, along with the potential impact of microbial activities that may lead to the corrosion and decomposition of ivory. By understanding the types and activities of microorganisms, appropriate measures can be taken to protect and preserve cultural relics. Methods: Multi-point sampling of soil samples around the ivory of the three sacrificial pits at the Sanxingdui site was carried out, and strict aseptic operation was carried out during the sampling process. Subsequently, the microbial community structure and diversity in the buried ivory soil of Sanxingdui site were identified and analyzed by Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology. Results: 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer sequence analysis revealed significant differences in the soil microbial community structure among different sacrificial pits. The dominant bacterial phyla were the Proteobacteria, GAL15, Actinobacteriota, Bacteroidota, and Methylomirabilota. The dominant fungal phyla were Ascomycota, Mortierellomhcota, and Basidiomycota. Most dominant bacterial and fungal communities play an indispensable role in the ivory corrosion mechanism, promoting the decay and decomposition process through various means such as decomposing organic matter and producing acidic substances. Discussion: It is particularly important to take a series of measures to control microbial activity to effectively protect ivory. Our preliminary study of the mechanism of action of microorganisms on ivory in a buried environment provides a scientific basis to prevent and protect against microbial degradation in ancient ivory unearthed in Sanxingdui. Following the research results, suitable antibacterial agents tailored to the preservation environment and microbial characteristics of ancient ivory can be prepared. Ensure that the selected antibacterial agents meet safety and effectiveness requirements to maximize protection against microbial degradation of ancient ivory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass media worldwide has contributed to increasing awareness of the illegal wildlife trade and its significant impact on wildlife conservation. We used mass media coverage as a proxy for macro‐level public opinion to analyze the media framing of elephant ivory in 6394 Chinese newspaper articles published from 2000 to 2021 and thus determine the effects of wildlife policies on public opinion. We focused on 2 events: the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) approval of China as a trading partner in the purchase and import of ivory stockpiles from Africa in July 2008 and the Chinese government's announcement of a domestic ivory ban in December 2016. Using latent Dirichlet allocation topic modeling, we identified 8 topics about elephant ivory and grouped them into 3 frames: ivory arts and culture, ivory crimes, and elephant conservation. Over the last 2 decades, topics related to ivory crimes remained the most prevalent in news articles. Topics about ivory arts and culture showed a significant shift in media salience before and after the 2 events (from 0.44 to 0.19 and from 0.08 to 0.15, respectively, p < 0.05), whereas the other 2 frames did not change significantly. Contrary to popular belief, our results indicated that Chinese macro‐level public opinion on ivory had become more negative following the CITES approval of ivory importation and less negative after the ivory ban announcement, at least for certain periods. The relationship between mass media, public opinion, and wildlife trade policies is complex and requires further examination of the sociopolitical dynamics that influence media narratives. Our results showed the value of topic modeling in monitoring and assessing media representations of wildlife issues in the era of big data. Conservationists should remain vigilant of mass media coverage and collaborate with media practitioners to produce comprehensive narratives on wildlife issues if resources permit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: While many species are affected by trafficking in their products, some take centre stage, including elephants, rhinos, pangolins and helmeted hornbills, and we report an open trade that continued in these items in eastern Myanmar between 2015 and 2020. We surveyed Myanmar's border towns of Tachilek and Mong La, recording volumes, prices, origins and trade routes. We observed c. 16 500 ivory items, 8 helmeted hornbill casques and 264 beads, over 100 African rhino horn items and over 250 pangolins (mainly skins and scales). In 2020, asking prices in Mong La for rhino horn tips were US$10 770, rhino horn bracelets US$5385, helmeted hornbill casques US$2424 and big ivory bangles c. US$800, with prices being stable overall since 2017. We estimate the combined monetary values at US$0.25–0.30 million for Tachilek and US$0.75–2.00 million for Mong La. Mong La's market today far surpasses Tachilek's, being on the border of mainland China. Mobile phones and online trading allow customers to order items without bothering to cross the borders. Commitment to address the illegal wildlife trade across Myanmar's borders requires a greater degree of cooperation and coordination amongst the relevant authorities in Myanmar, China and Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The illegal ivory trade is the main driver of elephant poaching in Africa. In recent years, China—long regarded as the main destination of illegal ivory trade—has undertaken a series of policy interventions to curtail ivory imports, such as the closure of ivory carving enterprises. In this article we explore the impact of these recent interventions on the price of ivory and poaching and the wider drivers connected to the illegal trade, such as China's macro-economic performance. The research demonstrates that the price of illegal ivory in China has dropped significantly, mainly due to measures taken under China's "Ecological Civilization" (EC) programme and ivory trade ban to curb demand and supply. The number of illegal ivory seizures decreased over time but remains active, with a high proportion of seizures categorized as minor infringements (ivory pieces under 2.4 kg) often imported by tourists as souvenirs. We also find that the price of ivory is recovering in other destinations such as Vietnam, and it is becoming clear that all countries should make more political commitments on the existing basis to elephant conservation and curtailing illegal ivory trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite being a party to CITES, China remains active in the ivory trade. A Chinese norm identifies ivory as "white gold," resulting in China becoming a main destination market for illegal ivory. Not only is ivory a form of investment in China, but it is also a part of cultural heritage. As a result, the government continues to support preservation of ivory in the country. This activity will trigger the high rate of elephant ivory hunting in the world, which frustrates the goal of CITES regulations. Finally, in December 2017, China claimed to have officially closed the ivory market. This article discusses what conditions drove China to close its ivory trade. This article applies a data-driven, qualitative approach. This article argues that China decided to close its ivory market to convince the world that China respects and complies with international norms, especially regarding animal protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mud ivory whelk (Babylonia lutosa) is one of the most economically important seawater mollusks in China. However, currently, there is no report on the molecular markers related to the growth of Babylonia lutosa, which hinders the its genetic breeding with dominant growth traits. The present study was the first to sequence the transcriptomes of B. lutosa, and then searched for EST-SSR in the growth-related genes. Wild B. lutosa samples were collected from the Lianjiang River, Fujian Province of China. The RNA of gastropods and hepatopancreas tissues from three B. lutosa were measured and mixed, and sequenced by Illumina HiSeq sequencer. A total of 24,829,460 reads containing 5,015,236,064 bp were obtained through sequencing. Eight growth-related genes (TBC-1-A, TBC-1-2B, FGFR-1, GFRBP2, GFR-15, FGFR-1-A, SMAD6, and TGFβR-1) containing EST-SSR sequences were detected in the B. lutosa transcriptomes. Our results would provide theoretical basis for B. lutosa breeding based on growth-related EST-SSRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ivory bans are among the critical policy instruments used to strengthen regulation, reduce ivory trade, and ultimately aim to benefit elephant conservation. China imposed a comprehensive ban in 2018 to prohibit ivory importation for commercial purposes and domestic ivory sales with narrow exemptions. The ban has significantly changed China's ivory policy direction and substantially restricted the international and domestic trade of ivory in China. In this paper, we identify the development and limitations and potential for improvement. The ivory ban closed domestic sales and banned trophy ivory and pre-convention ivory imports. However, the sentencing exemptions, the exemptions for returning and auctioning ivory cultural relics, gifting ivory gifts and the unrestricted mammoth ivory trade, weaken the ivory policy and its conservation potential. Based on our analysis, we suggest that prosecution or penalties exemptions in ivory crimes may require further review to ensure regulatory deterrence effectiveness; ambiguous regulations for exempted ivory cultural relics need clear criteria for policy implementation; ivory gifting as allowed in the law requires explicit measures to prevent illegal exchange; the rising mammoth ivory markets may need regulatory management prevent 'laundering' elephant ivory. In conclusion, China's ivory control is promoted by the trade ban, yet the effectiveness of ivory policy still faces challenges in prosecution and penalty exemptions, import and auction trade exemptions, monitoring of gift giving and open mammoth ivory trade. • Sentencing, ban exemptions and mammoth ivory trade limit China's ivory policy • The exempted ivory amounts in sentencing rules for ivory crimes has increased. • Allowing ivory cultural relics to be imported and auctioned challenges regulations. • Ivory gift exchange as allowed in the current law lacks monitoring measures. • The unrestricted mammoth ivory trade may need regulation for ivory trade control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poaching of African elephants is threatening the species viability. International non-governmental organizations and media often attribute the basic problem to China’s domestic ivory market. We present quantitative and qualitative information on trends and drivers of the ivory trade in China. Results show that ivory is traded in “white” legally licensed retail outlets, “black” illegal shops and online trade forums, and “gray” live auctions of uncertain legality. White markets are primarily in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The numbers of legal factories and retail outlets increased from 9 and 31 in 2004 to 37 and 145 in 2013. Black markets thrive in online trading platforms, such as Baidu Post Bar. Gray markets auction ivory items surging around 2006, mushrooming after 2009, peaking in 2011, and plummeting over 97% following government intervention. During 2002 to 2011, the ivory auction in China and elephant poaching in Africa are strongly positively correlated. Drivers of the ivory trade are multiple and complex, including Chinese consumers’ motivation stemming from the socially-constructed economic, social, cultural, aesthetic, religious, and medical values of ivory. We highlight China’s intangible cultural heritage preservation, the boom of arts investment, and the auction ban in changing ivory values and influencing markets. We argue that elephant conservation can be more effective if it is based on a more comprehensive and contextual understanding of China’s domestic ivory trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses initiatives taken by China to deal with illegal ivory trade that has become a threat to wildlife. Topics discussed include the ban on import of ivory carvings announced by the State Forestry Administration of China, the Demand-side Strategies for Curbing Illegal Ivory Trade workshop that was organized to understand economy of illegal trade and participation in the law enforcement operation Operation Cobra III that led to several seizures such as elephant ivory.

The article offers the author's insights on the trade of ivory and elephant parts in China, Thailand, and Lao, which signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). According to a survey conducted in Vientiane, Lao, it shows that several parts of the elephant were being sell and Chinese were main traders and customers. The author mentions that it needs a regular monitoring on the illegal trading because it has an insufficient enforcement efforts to control it.

The author argues that the Chinese government should eliminate stockpiles of raw ivory in order to end the illegal ivory trade. Topics include the killing of poached elephants for the black market in ivory, the possibility of a Chinese law banning the sale of ivory, and the projected cots of buying back legally stockpiled ivory in China. The role of ivory as part of China's cultural heritage is addressed.

A letter to the editor is presented on topic related to synthetic ivory which is posing problems for conservationists and Chinese enforcement agencies as traders caught with smuggling illegal ivory can claim that it is synthetic.

Statistics are presented on the amount, in tons, of confiscated elephant ivory that has been pulverized for destruction by the Chinese government and the percentage of decrease in cigarette smoking prevalence in women worldwide between 1980 and 2012.