Some 1,500 African elephant tusks — the biggest seizure ever — were found this week hidden within timber planks and destined for China’s ivory market. Shocked conservationists noted 2012 will now go down as the worst year in 24 years of records — and warned that 2013 could be even worse.
“In 2011 we thought the threats to elephants couldn’t get any worse and 2012 draws to a close with the depressing news that the slaughter of elephants hasn’t even drawn close to their zenith,” said Jason Bell, who runs the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s elephant program. “The illegal trade is simply voracious in its appetite for ivory.”

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