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Thailand's flourishing ivory trade
Despite strict laws, the country remains a major transit for ivory smuggled from Africa.
Last Modified: 13 Mar 2010 08:40 GMT

It is estimated that 38,000 elephants are slaughtered for their tusks each year in Africa.

And much of it is smuggled into Thailand - a renowned hub for ivory smuggling. Most of the ivory crafted there eventually ends up in the US and Europe.

As elephants are a national symbol in the country, Thailand does allow the sale of ivory - but only under strict wildlife  protection laws.

Al Jazeera's Aela Callan reports from Nakhon Sawan, the ivory capital of Thailand - where about half the tusks sold are illegal. 

Source:
Al Jazeera
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