t will quickly be unlawful to commerce ivory from a hippopotamus, walrus, narwhal, killer whale and sperm whale, the Government has stated.

The Ivory Act 2018 is to be prolonged to cowl these 5 species after it got here into drive final June to guard elephants.

Hippopotamus is the species most vulnerable to ivory exploitation after elephants, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) stated.

Along with walrus and sperm whale, it's classed as susceptible on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s pink listing.

All three animals already face a number of threats from human exercise together with from air pollution, delivery lanes, armed battle and local weather change, with the ivory commerce including further strain, Defra stated.

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Today is an efficient day for conservation and a step change in the direction of worldwide commitments to safeguard our pure world

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

“There is widespread public support for the ivory ban and today by extending it further we are sending a clear message that there is no place in the UK for this vile trade.”

Punishment for breaching the Ivory Act is a vast tremendous or as much as 5 years in jail.

A spokesperson from Defra stated the brand new extension will take impact “in due course” relying on the supply of parliamentary time.

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 one of the toughest bans of its kind in the world and by extending greater legal protections to five more species, we are sending a clear message the commercial trade of ivory is totally 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.”

The resolution comes after an “extensive public consultation” within the method to the anniversary of the Act on June 6 final 12 months.

Since then, Defra has issued over 6,500 registrations and certificates for exempted objects which it stated was needed to guard the UK’s creative and cultural heritage.

Frances Goodrum, head of campaigns and programmes on the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) charity, stated: “As we approach the one-year anniversary of the UK Ivory Act coming into force, IFAW UK are encouraged by early indications that the ban is having a significant impact on the trade 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 decision to extend this powerful legislation, which will go a long way in cracking down on a damaging trade.

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