eBay Bans Sale of Ivory

In an effort to curb the widespread poaching of elephants for their tusks, eBay has banned the sale of ivory on its site. The Los Angeles Times says calls the move notable in light of the online auction retailer's past responsibility for “63% of the trade in endangered species -- with elephant ivory comprising 73% of all products tracked,” according to a recent International Fund for Animal Welfare report. While the ban doesn’t apply to all products with ivory, one must abide by a complicated system of regulations and caveats that excludes most anything you're likely to own, legally or otherwise.

Of the move, eBay had the following to say: “Global demand for ivory has long been a significant factor in the poaching of African and Asian elephants, driving these species towards extinction—to such a degree that both types of elephants are now considered endangered or protected species. [We] concluded that we simply can’t ensure that ivory listed for sale on eBay is in compliance with the complex regulations that govern its sale.” Better late than never.