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Government extends Ivory Act to protect more species
Ivory from walrus tusks will be included in the ban.
Hippopotamus and walrus among species to be protected.

The UK Government has announced that it plans to extend the Ivory Act to protect hippopotamuses, walruses, narwhales, killer whales and sperm whales.

Importing, exporting, or dealing in items containing ivory from these species will be made illegal, except for a narrowly defined group of exempt items.

The original Ivory Act, which was passed in 2018 and came into effect from 6 June 2022, introduced a near-total ban on trading ivory from elephants. Those who break the law face an unlimited fine or up to five years in jail.

Following the ban on elephant ivory, conservation groups including Born Free expressed their concern that ivory from hippopotamus teeth would be used as a substitute, putting the species at greater risk of poaching.

The other species included in the new ban are threatened by climate change and the Government fears that the ivory trade may make their long-term survival less likely.

The law allows certain items containing ivory to be exempted from the ban, including pre-1918 items of outstanding artistic, cultural, or historical value and importance. Since the ban came into effect, there have been 6,500 registrations and certificates issued for exempted items.

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 to five more species, we are sending a clear message the commercial trade of ivory is totally unacceptable.
 
“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.”

Steve Backshall, naturalist and television presenter, has welcomed the extension of the ban. He said: “This is an important moment in the conservation of these iconic species.

“There is widespread public support for the ivory ban and today by extending it further we are sending a clear message that there is no place in the UK for this vile trade.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.