Elephant tusk with Logo with introduction title

In this episode of Life Solved, we explore the little-known ‘Ice Ivory’ market. Hear researchers at the University, describe how mammoth ivory is being sold, in place of elephant ivory; often illegally.

20 min listen

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In this episode of Life Solved, we explore the little-known ‘Ice Ivory’ market. Hear Dr. Caroline Cox, Senior Lecturer at СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Law School and Dr Luke Hauser, a Researcher at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ, describe how mammoth ivory is being sold, in place of elephant ivory; often illegally.

You’ll hear why the trade in mammoth ivory - surprisingly - isn’t necessarily unlawful, but that the approach to digging it out of the Siberian permafrost can be. Plus, the long-term environmental damage that comes from digging up the ancient beasts, and how this could affect our present-day elephant population.

The conversation covers law, ethics, poverty, trade and the environment - with some surprises along the way - and we discover why Luke might be the world’s first ‘geo-criminologist’.

You can also find out more about this work and other research at the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ website: /research/ 

USEFUL LINKS

Dr Caroline Cox

/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/caroline-cox

Dr Luke Hauser:

Caroline’s work on Ivory Trade legislation:

The Ivory Project: /research/research-projects/the-ivory-project

The Ivory Act 2018:

Ancient bests unearthed in Siberia’s rush for mammoth ice-ivory

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