The decision to incinerate 28 tonnes of ivory has been welcomed by conservation charities.

Conservationists rejoice at major stockpile burn

Hong Kong will destroy 28 tonnes of its seized ivory stockpile, it was announced yesterday (January 23) by the Endangered Species Advisory Committee (ESAC).

After a four-hour closed meeting with Hong Kong Government officials, the ESAC agreed unanimously to incinerate the stock of ivory. A few tonnes will be retained for use in education.

Welcoming the move, the Born Free Foundation said it could not have come at a better time, with an estimated 50,000 elephants poached for their ivory in 2013.

Will Travers OBE, CEO of the foundation, stressed the importance of the news: "It’s massive. The biggest destruction of illegal ivory stocks in history.

"Even a year ago, to think that China and Hong Kong would take such decisive action would have been fantasy. Are they now set to become truly global leaders in the fight against the ivory trade and poaching?"

The charity estimates Hong Kong's total stockpile at 33 tonnes, having recorded the seizure of at least 14.2 tonnes by law-enforcement agencies over the past two years alone.

Governments now need to go "the extra mile", according to Mr Travers, by supporting Africa's conservationists and rangers to ensure they get the necessary training and equipment to protect elephants from poaching.

Image courtesy of Born Free Foundation.