Trading ivory from a hippo, walrus, narwhal, killer whale and sperm whale will quickly be unlawful, the federal government says.

The Ivory Act of 2018 got here into power final June to guard elephants and now it will likely be prolonged to cowl these 5 different species.

Naturalist and TV presenter Steve Backshall stated: "This is an important moment in the conservation of these iconic species.

"There is widespread public assist for the ivory ban and at present by extending it additional we're sending a transparent message that there isn't any place within the UK for this vile commerce."

The change will take effect "sooner or later" relying on the supply of parliamentary time, with punishment for breaching the act being a limiteless high-quality or as much as 5 years in jail.

Biodiversity minister Trudy Harrison stated: "This is a pivotal moment in delivering one of our key manifesto commitments on international conservation.

"The Ivory Act is among the hardest bans of its type on this planet and by extending better authorized protections to 5 extra species, we're sending a transparent message the industrial commerce of ivory is completely 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."

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Hippos are probably the most liable to ivory exploitation after elephants, in response to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature's pink checklist lessons hippos as susceptible, together with the walrus and sperm whale, all of them being threatened by air pollution, transport lanes, local weather change and human battle.

'A great day for conservation'

Frances Goodrum, head of campaigns and programmes on the International Fund for Animal Welfare, stated early indications are that the ban is having "a significant impact" on the commerce in elephant ivory.

"Yet other species are still poached globally to meet an unnecessary demand for luxury ivory products, including the hippopotamus, walrus, narwhal, sperm whale and killer whale.

"We welcome Defra's determination to increase this highly effective laws, which can go a great distance in cracking down on a harmful commerce.

"Today is a good day for conservation and a step change towards international commitments to safeguard our natural world."

Content Source: information.sky.com