Illegal ivory trade driven by China demand

Conservationists say China’s love of ivory – considered a symbol of status and wealth – is helping fuel an illicit global trade worth billions of dollars.

Poachers are killing an estimated 30,000 wild elephants a year, with most of the tusks being shipped from Africa through a complex web of traders through Hong Kong.

Al Jazeera’s 101 East programme gained exclusive access to a thriving global business that is increasingly endangering the existence of Africa’s wild elephants.

Al Jazeera’s Steve Chao reports.